settlement. But I shall want a legal adviser.'

'The gentleman that was lately sheriff of this county is high in
reputation as a barrister; I will give you a card of introduction
to him.'

'What I like about you, Mr. Mac-Morlan,' said the Colonel, 'is
that you always come straight to the point. Let me have it
instantly. Shall we tell Miss Lucy her chance of becoming an
heiress?'

'Surely, because you must have some powers from her, which I will
instantly draw out. Besides, I will be caution for her prudence,
and that she will consider it only in the light of a chance.'

Mac-Morlan judged well. It could not be discerned from Miss
Bertram's manner that she founded exulting hopes upon the prospect
thus unexpectedly opening before her. She did, indeed, in the
course of the evening ask Mr. Mac-Morlan, as if by accident, what
might be the annual income of the Hazlewood property; but shall we
therefore aver for certain that she was considering whether an
heiress of four hundred a year might be a suitable match for the
young Laird?




CHAPTER XXXVI

Give me a cup of sack, to make mine eyes look red. For I must