s my good fortune to be of some
slight service to your niece yesterday, and I have ventured to call
and inquire if the shock has proved at all serious. My name, madam,
is--"

"Tut, tut, boy! None of your airs and graces with me! Your name is
Hughie Maxwell, and many's the time I've skelped you into good
manners. Come here and kiss your old cousin, you scamp!" And without
waiting for me to comply with her invitation, she threw her arms
about me and discomposed me sadly enough with an unexpected outburst
of weeping.

When she had recovered somewhat we settled down to explanations;
questionings from her and answers from me, until at length she was
satisfied on all my movements. Then came my turn, and I began with
a definite object in view, but carefully guarding my advances, when
she cut my finessing short:

"Now, Hughie, stop your fiddle-faddle, and ask me who 'my niece'
is. You stupid blockhead, don't you know your curiosity is peeking
out at every corner of your eyes? 'My niece' is Margaret Nairn."

"A relation of Lord Nairne?"

"No one would count her so save a Highlander; they are from the
far North, not the Perth people; but don't interrupt! Her mother
and I were school-mates and friends somewhat more than a hundred
years ago. I have had the girl with me in Edinburgh and Paris, and
when I found she was doomed to be buried alive with her father in
their lonely old house in the Highlands, and neither woman nor
protector about, I took her, the child of my oldest friend, to my
care, and at no time have I been more thankful than now, when the
whole country is set by the ears. We are in London masquerading as
'Mistress Grey and her niece,' as her only brother, Archie, an
officer in the French service, is mixed up in this unfortunate
affair, and it is probably only a matter of time until he gets into
trouble and will need every effort I may be able to put forth in
his behalf. No, you have not come across him, for he was on some
secret mission; and it is possible he may not have set foot in
Scotland at all. We can but wait and see. Now that your curiosity
is satisfied, doubtless you are longing to see the young lady
herself; but let me warn you, Master Hughie, I will have none of
your philandering. Margaret is as dear to me as if she were my own
daughter born, and I may as well tell you at once I have plans for
her future with which I will brook no interference."

"May I ask, cousin, if your plans include M. de Trin