his monotonous life.

Also, his kindly heart was touched by the sickly and feeble aspect of
the young man, by his appearance of poverty, and by something in his air
which the earl fancied implied that brave struggle against misfortune,
more pathetic than misfortune itself. With undisguised pleasure, the
young host sat and watched his guest doing full justice to the very best
supper that the Castle could furnish.

"You are truly a good Samaritan," said Captain Bruce, pouring out freely
the claret which was then the universal drink of even the middle classes
in Scotland. "I had fallen among thieves (literally, for my small
baggage was stolen from me yesterday, and I have no worldly goods beyond
the clothes I stand in); you meet me, my good cousin, with oil and wine,
and set me on your own beast, which I fear I shall have to ask you to
do, for I am not strong enough to walk any distance. How far is it to
the nearest inn?"

"About twenty miles. But we will discuss that question presently. In
the mean time, eat and drink; you need it."

"Ah! Yes. You have never known hunger--I hope you never may; but it
is not a pleasant thing, I assure you, actually to want food."

Helen looked up sympathetically. As Captain Bruce took not the
slightest notice of her, she had ample opportunity to observe him. Pity
for his worn face made her lenient. Lord Cairnforth read her favorable
judgment in her eyes, and it inclined him also to judge kindly of the
stranger. Mr. Menteith alone, more familiar with the world, and goaded
by it into that sharp suspiciousness which is the last hardening of a
kindly and generous heart--Mr. Menteith held aloof for some time,
till at last even he succumbed to the charm of the captain's
conversation. Mr. Cardross had already fallen a willing victim, for he
had latterly been deep in the subject of Warren Hastings, and to meet
with any one who came direct from that wondrous land of India, then as
mysterious and far-away a region as the next world, to people in
England, and especially in the wilds of Scotland, was to the good
minister a delight indescribable.

Captain Bruce, who had at first paid little attention to any body but
his cousin, soon exercised his faculty of being "all things to all men,"
gave out his stores of information, bent all his varied powers to
gratify Lord Cairnforth's friends, and succeeded.

The clock had struck twelve, and still the little party were gathered
round the