bringing her hame like any pleughman's wife, wantin' a
honeymoon trip, forbye providin' hersel' with weddin' braws conformable.
Gin folk tak' sic daft notions aff the English, they'd be mair wise like
to bide at hame, an' that's my way o' thinkin'."

Crusty as she was, there was no danger of her not giving her warmest
welcome, and thus the morning came. Tibbie had donned her cap, with
white satin ribbons, and made of lace once belonging to the only heiress
who had ever brought wealth to the Keiths. Edward Williams, all his
goods packed up, had gone to join his sisters, and the Colonel, only
perceptibly differing from his daily aspect in having a hat free from
crape, was opening all the windows in hopes that a thorough draft would
remove the last of the tobacco, when the letters were brought in, and
among them one of the black bordered bulletins from Littleworthy, which
ordinarily arrived by the second post. It was a hurried note, evidently
dashed off to catch the morning mail.

My Dear Colonel,--Alick tells me to write in haste to catch the morning
post, and beg you to telegraph the instant your wedding is over. The
doctors see cause to hasten their measures, but your brother will have
nothing done till the will is signed. He and Alick both desire you will
not come, but it is getting to be far too much for Alick. I would tell
you more if there were time before the post goes. Love to dear Ermine.
Very sincerely yours,
R. KEITH.

There was so shocked and startled a look on Colin's face, that Tibbie
believed that his brother must be dead, and when in a few almost
inaudible words he told her that he must start for Bishopsworthy by the
afternoon train, she fairly began to scold, partly by way of working off
the irritation left by her alarm. "The lad's clean demented! Heard ye
ever the like, to rin awa' frae his new-made wife afore the blessin's
been weel spoke; an' a' for the whimsie of that daft English lassie that
made siccan a piece of work wi' her cantrips."

"I am afraid she is right now," said the Colonel, "and my brother must
not be left any longer."

"Hout awa, Maister Colin, his lordship has come between you and your
luve oft enough already, without partin' ye at the very church door. Ye
would na have the English cast up to us, that one of your name did na
ken better what was fittin by his bride!"

"My