politeness,' he said to himself. 'It is not every man that can
bring a good chance of 400 Pounds a year to a penniless girl.
Singleside must be up to 400 Pounds a year now; there's
Reilageganbeg, Gillifidget, Loverless, Liealone, and the
Spinster's Knowe--good 400 Pounds a year. Some people might have
made their own of it in my place; and yet, to own the truth, after
much consideration, I don't see how that is possible.'

Glossin was no sooner mounted and gone than the Colonel despatched
a groom for Mr. Mac-Morlan, and, putting the deed into his hand,
requested to know if it was likely to be available to his friend
Lucy Bertram. Mac-Morlan perused it with eyes that sparkled with
delight, snapped his fingers repeatedly, and at length exclaimed,
'Available! it's as tight as a glove; naebody could make better
wark than Glossin, when he didna let down a steek on purpose. But
(his countenance falling) the auld b---, that I should say so,
might alter at pleasure!'

'Ah! And how shall we know whether she has done so?'

'Somebody must attend on Miss Bertram's part when the repositories
of the deceased are opened.'

'Can you go?' said the Colonel.

'I fear I cannot,' replied Mac-Morlan; 'I must attend a jury trial
before our court.'

'Then I will go myself,' said the Colonel; 'I'll set out to-
morrow. Sampson shall go with me; he is witness to this