-blooms upon
his obedience, his imagination could not be otherwise than in
harmony with his reason. Imagination is a poor root, but a worthy
blossom, and in a nature like Gibbie's its flowers cannot fail to be
lovely. For no outcome of a man's nature is so like himself as his
imaginations, except it be his fancies, indeed. Perhaps his
imaginations show what he is meant to be, his fancies what he is
making of himself.

In the summer, Mr. Galbraith, all unannounced, reappeared at
Glashruach, but so changed that, startled at the sight of him,
Ginevra stopped midway in her advance to greet him. The long thin
man was now haggard and worn; he looked sourer too, and more
suspicious--either that experience had made him so, or that he was
less equal to the veiling of his feelings in dignified indifference.
He was annoyed that his daughter should recognize an alteration in
him, and, turning away, leaned his head on the hand whose arm was
already supported by the mantelpiece, and took no further notice of
her presence; but perhaps conscience also had something to do with
this behaviour. Ginevra knew from experience that the sight of
tears would enrage him, and with all her might repressed those she
felt beginning to rise. She went up to him timidly, and took the
hand that hung by his side. He did not repel her--that is, he did
not push her away, or even withdraw his hand, but he left it hanging
lifeless, and returned with it no pressure upon hers--which was much
worse.

"Is anything the matter, papa?" she asked with trembling voice.

"I am not aware that I have been in the habit of communicating with
you on the subject of my affairs," he answered; "nor am I likely to
begin to do so, where my return after so long an absence seems to
give so little satisfaction."

"Oh, papa! I was frightened to see you looking so ill."

"Such a remark upon my personal appearance is but a poor recognition
of my labours for your benefit, I venture to think, Jenny," he said.

He was at the moment contemplating, as a necessity, the sale of
every foot of the property her mother had brought him. Nothing less
would serve to keep up his credit, and gain time to disguise more
than one failing scheme. Everything had of late been going so
badly, that he had lost a good deal of his confidence and
self-satisfaction; but he had gained no humility instead. It had
not dawned upon him yet that he was not unfortunate, but unworthy.
The gain of su