repeated Liz. 'Where's that?'

'That's my home now,' said Gladys gleefully. 'See what you have missed,
being away so long. Has Teen not told you of all its glories? I thought
she was so enthusiastic over it, she could not hold her tongue. Never
mind, you shall soon see it for yourself.'

'I'm very much obleeged to ye, but I'm no' comin',' said Liz, with the
same firmness which had set aside Walter's scheme concerning her.

'Why not? Nobody ever refuses me anything,' Gladys said.

'It wad be a sin for me to gang,' replied Liz quietly. 'I'm no' fit to
speak to the like o' you. At least, that's what them ye belang to wad
say.'

'I've nobody belonging to me to dictate to me, Liz, and I'm not afraid
to trust you. You may have sinned, I don't know, but you have had many
temptations. I want to show you a happier life. Tell her, Teen, how
lovely it is at dear Bourhill.'

'I couldna,' answered Teen in a choking voice. 'It's like heaven, Liz.'

'Then it'll be ower guid for me,' said Liz wearily, 'an' I'll better
bide whaur I am. But, I say, ye are queerer than ever, an' I thocht ye
gey queer last time I saw ye.'

'Never mind what you think of me. Say you will come with me to-day. I
came for the very purpose of taking you away,' said Gladys cheerfully.
'Do you remember that absurd story about "Lord Bellew's Bride" you were
reading the first time I saw you? My own fortune is very nearly as
wonderful as that of "Lord Bellew's Bride."'

Liz faintly smiled.

'Eh, sic lees there is in papers! It shouldna be printed. Things like
yon never happen in real life--never, never!' She spoke with passionate
emphasis, which indicated that she keenly felt what she said.

'Ye'll be gaun to get mairret next?' she added, looking at Gladys, who
smiled and nodded, with slightly heightened colour.

'Well, what is to be done? Are you going down with me to-day?' she
asked, looking from one to another, and tapping her dainty foot a trifle
impatiently on the floor.

'I canna come the day, for my claes are a' at Maryhill,' said Liz.

'But I'll gang for them, Liz,' put in the little seamstress quickly.
'They can be easy got frae Maryhill afore nicht. It's only twelve
o'clock the noo.'

'There need not be any such hurry; I think I shall stay in town all
night,' said Gladys, 'and you can arrange it together, either to go with
me or alone. Teen can manage it; she knows all about the trains, having
been there before. I shall be sure to be home