forgotten his suffering in that of the perishing, dumb animal.

When they eached the door, Bertha came to meet them. She was dressed in a cherry-colored cashmere. She had white lace near her throat, and ruffles of white lace round her pretty wrists. She had cherry ribbons in her black hair. She was very attractive, and she took Bruce's hand and held it, while she offered Scotia a letter.

"You naughty girl!" she said. "Why did you not tell us that Captain Forres is coming? We should never have known if aunt had not marked her letter 'Haste!' and so mother thought it best to open it. He will be here in an hour. You have just time to dress."

Scotia glanced at the letter, and the news happened to fit her mood. She felt glad to annoy Angus. It would do him no harm to feel a little uncertainty about her. Jealousy is the accepted punishment all women naturally apply to recalcitrant lovers. Scotia affected to be delighted with the news. She said she would make ready for the captain as soon as she had attended to the wounded hare; and she went off without a word to Angus, while Bertha, who was still holding his hand, said:

"Come in, Mr. Bruce. Mother will expect you to dinner, and I shall have to depend upon your kindness to-night. Of course, Scotia will have neither eyes nor ears for any one but 'Jamie Forres.'

"Why of course,' Miss Bertha."

"Oh, you know-you know-really, I have no authority to say anything. Stay, and see for yourself."

But Bruce lifted his hat and turned homeward. He was too indignant for speech. His heart was in a

blaze of angry suspicion. He was as miserable as Scotia was, and her tears were dropping heavily upon the hare's feet as she held the creature for the hostler to attend to. He thought she was weeping for the suffering animal; she knew that she was weeping for her lover's wounded heart.

XVI.

LOVE'S REASON IS WITHOUT REASON.

"How oft the sight of means to do ill deeds
Makes deeds ill done."

"How many fond fools serve mad jealousy?"

"He that but fears the thing he would not know,
Hath by instinct knowledge from others' eyes,
That which he feared is chained."

"Jealousy is the green ey'd monster which doth make
The meat it feeds on."

-Shakespeare.

HE next morning was cold and raw, the air was

THE

full of coming rain, the east wind searching and bitter. But as Bruce was going through the village, he saw Sootia and Captain Forres riding together. The captain wore his military cloak, Scotia her warmest habit. Bruce was near the old manse gate, and he had a momentary temptation to call on Adam and Grizel, and so escape the painful meeting. He gave it no attention, and walked steadily forward. But while he was at least one hundred yards distant, the riders stopped at the cottage of John Latham, and Captain Forres dismounted and entered it. Scotia, followed by the groom, then turned backward to Rodney House.

Bruce was astonished. He could not imagine why Captain Forres had called at the Latham cottage.

Sarah Latham was a dressmaker, her husband an idle ne'er-do-weel, whom she in the main supported. One thing, however, was clear to Bruce-that there was a friendship between Scotia and Captain Forres so intimate as to dispense with the ordinary ceremonies of mere acquaintanceship. They rode slowly, in spite of the cold and damp; Forres was talking earnestly, and Scotia listening with interest and pleasure. When Forres dismounted at Latham's cottage, he held her hand; and there was in their parting that familiar air which carries confirmation of some close personal understanding—an air which deeply offended Bruce.

In the afternoon he went to Rodney. He saw no one but Bertha. She said her mother had been ailing for some days, and had been finally compelled to send for the doctor. She was in her room and Scotia was with her. He sent a message to Mrs. Rodney, and then sat half an hour with Bertha. He thought Scotia would come to him, but she did not, and Bertha at last said, "I suppose Scotia is fretting a little at the shortness of Captain Forres's visit. He had to go to Monteith to-day, and will not be back until next Friday."

"I saw him go into Sarah Latham's-it seemed strange."

"Not at all. John Latham was in Captain Forres's company, and acted as his attendant while there. I suppose you have heard Sarah bought her husband off. Captain Forres wanted a valet to go with him to Monteith, and I am sure he called at Latham's to hire John."

"Very likely. Then Captain Forres returns next Friday?"

"Yes, for a flying visit. He is such a favorite with Aunt Yarrow. I believe she has promised him great things if he marries Scotia."

"If he marries Scotia?" said Bruce indignantly.

Bertha laughed. "You know, Mr. Bruce, a great many people may talk of marrying Scotia. It is a long way between saying and doing the thing. Scotia is as cross as crossed sticks this afternoon, but if you wish to see her I will go to mother, and send her to you."

"Not on any account, Miss Bertha. It is Saturday. I will not wait longer."

This day indicated the whole of the next week, which was a completely wretched one. Scotia was at the Sabbath service, but Bruce did not permit himself to look at her. On Monday she did not appear when he called. She had determined not to appear until he asked to see her. Really, Bruce did not think of the necessity. His knowledge of women, and of the small formalities they require, was not great. It did not enter his mind that Scotia was waiting for him to take the first step toward an explanation. Perhaps if it had done so, he might have been equally remiss; for he thought Scotia had wantonly hurt his feelings, and that it was her duty to express sorrow for the cruel, tantalizing despotism which led her to such acts. He was waiting to be gracious and to forgive her. He was anxious and longing to do so; but if she would not come where he was, how could he let her see his desire.

So the mournful week passed. During it Mrs. Rodney's illness developed into a slow, infermittent fever, which confined her to her bed, and required the constant care and society of one of her daughters.