good humour at the way he had been done by his
daughter, threw a handful of copper "bodles" across the table to Amelia.

"There's for the messenger!" he said. And I could see that he looked at
the letter when it came with some anxiety.

As I supposed, it was from Charlotte, and the thinnest and least bulky
of her billets that had ever come up these stairs. I handed it across to
him, where he sat newly glooming at me.

"Open it!" I said.

"Since when has Robert Anderson of Birkenbog taken to opening letters
addressed to other men?"

"Never heed--not till this very minute, maybe. Open that one, at any
rate!" And I ran my finger along the sealed edge.

This was Charlotte's letter to me.

From our home at Ewebuchts, Tuesday.

"Dear Duncan,

"How can we ever make it up to you? We were married yesterday by Mr.
Torrance, the minister at Quarrelwood, and came home here in time
for the milking of the cows. My father has kindly given my Thomas
five hundred on account of my marriage portion, but he does not know
it yet. I left all well. Thomas joins in kind messages to all
inquiring friends. He is looking over my shoulder now, as perhaps
you may be already aware from the style of composition.

"Yours truly,
"Charlotte Gallaberry.

"P.S.--Oh, I forget to tell you, it will be as well to barricade
your door. For I left word with one of the servant lasses that I was
off to Edinburgh. Father will likely call to see you, and he is sure
to have with him the whip wherewith he downed the highwayman. But I
know well your bravery, and do sincerely thank you for all you may
have to undergo for me.

"Charlotte."

"Humph," said her father, as he flung it across the table to me, "in my
opinion ye are well shut of her! She will twist that Tam Gallaberry
round her finger and then--whizz--she will make him spin like a peerie!"

He rose, and without any adieus stamped his way down the stairs,
sniffing as he went at every landing. We stood at the window watching
his progress along the street--capes swaying, broad bonnet of blue
cocked at an angle on top, red double-chinned face looking straight
ahead. Amelia came over to my shoulder and looked too.

But all she said was, "And now, when it's past and gone, will ye tell me
if _Yon_ is what yo