honest Dinmont only excepted; the rest conceived they should find
in her a formidable competitor, whose claims might at least
encumber and diminish their chance of succession. Yet she was the
only person present who seemed really to feel sorrow for the
deceased. Mrs. Bertram had been her protectress, although from
selfish motives, and her capricious tyranny was forgotten at the
moment, while the tears followed each other fast down the cheeks
of her frightened and friendless dependent. 'There's ower muckle
saut water there, Drumquag,' said the tobacconist to the ex-
proprietor, 'to bode ither folk muckle gude. Folk seldom greet
that gate but they ken what it's for.' Mr. Mac-Casquil only
replied with a nod, feeling the propriety of asserting his
superior gentry in presence of Mr. Pleydell and Colonel Mannering.

'Very queer if there suld be nae will after a', friend,' said
Dinmont, who began to grow impatient, to the man of business.

'A moment's patience, if you please. She was a good and prudent
woman, Mrs. Margaret Bertram--a good and prudent and well-judging
woman, and knew how to choose friends and depositaries; she may
have put her last will and testament, or rather her mortis causa
settlement, as it relates to heritage, into the hands of some safe
friend.'

'I'll bet a rump and dozen,' said Pleydell, whispering to the
Colonel, 'he has got it in his own pocket.' Then addressing the
man of law, 'Come, sir, we'll cut this short, if you please: here
is a settlement of the estate of Singleside, executed several
years ago, in favour of Miss Lucy Bertram of Ellangowan.' The
company stared fearfully wild. 'You, I presume, Mr. Protocol, can