Kilmeny of the Orchard

“ Or is there a girl in the case? ” he wrote. “ There must be, to tie you down to a place like Lindsay for a year. Take care, master Eric; you’ve been too sensi- ble all your life. A man is bound to make a fool of himself at least once, and when you didn’t get through with that in your teens it may be attacking you now.”

David also wrote, expostulating more gravely; but he did not express the sus- picions Eric knew he must entertain.

“ Good old David! He is quaking with fear that I am up to something he can’t approve of, but he won’t say a word by way of attempting to force my confi— dence.”

It could not long remain a secret in Lindsay that “ the Master ” was going to the Gordon place on courting thoughts intent. Mrs. Williamson kept her own and Eric’s counsel; the Gordons said nothing; but the secret leaked out and great was the surprise and gossip and wonder. One or two incautious people

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