knight flourisheth so bravely in silks to-day--Fie! but a mere
adventurer, Lady Kitty. He says he is Law of Lauriston; but what proof
doth he offer? And did he find such proof, it is proof of what? For my
part, I did never hear of Lauriston nor its owner."

"Ah, but that I have, to the contrary," said Lady Catharine. "John
Law's father was a goldsmith, and it was he who bought the properties of
Lauriston and Randleston. And so far from John Law being ill-born, why,
his mother was Jean Campbell, kinswoman of the Campbell, Duke of Argyll;
and a mighty important man is the Duke of Argyll these days, I may tell
you, as the king's army hath discovered before this. You see, I have not
talked with my brother about these things for naught."

"So you make excuse for this Mr. Law of Lauriston," said Mary Connynge.
"Well, I like better a knight who comes on his own horse, or in his own
chariot, and who rescues me when I am in trouble, rather than asks me to
give him aid. But, as to that, what matter? We set those highway
travelers down, and there was an end of it. We shall never see either of
them again."

"Of course not," said Lady Catharine.

"It were impossible."

"Oh, quite impossible!"

Both the young women sighed, and both looked out of the window.

"Because," said Mary Connynge, "they are but strangers. That talk of
having letters may be but deceit. They themselves may be coiners. I have