Donald Munro had heard all the things he said to me; I am sure he would be jealous." Thus Mary went on in breathless excitement, casting stolen glances at herself in the mirror, to the amusement of her young mistress. The note from the castle, however, changed Bella's risibility to anxiety and fear, dreading that it might have some relation to the affair at the bridge of Linn.
Her speculation was soon interrupted by her father ringing for her, and with seeming happiness informed her that an English lord had purchased the estate, was now at the castle, and demanded his (Mr. McKay's) presence there.
Bella heard this news with terrible misgivings, which her looks betrayed to her astonished parent, and which did not tally with his own pleasant mood.
Mr. McKay met with a flattering and most hospitable reception at the castle from Lord Lundy and his gallant cousin, which he acknowledged with becoming politeness, and was greatly honoured by the many favours which the young nobleman had bestowed upon him, particularly the agency or the factorship of the estate.
He was quite charmed with the sense and judgment his lordship manifested in his future plans, particularly giving a bonfire and entertainment to the tenantry, which, he remarked, would restore harmony and good feeling between landlord and tenant, and remove any prejudices which the Highlanders would naturally entertain against a stranger, and an Englishman, or any clanish leanings towards their former unhappy laird.
Lord Lundy was glad that Mr. McKay approved of his arrangements, and left the management of the whole to him, with power not to spare any expense or trouble in bringing forth the gathering in the most elaborate and grand style, and after a few more remarks on different subjects, Mr. McKay took his leave, highly pleased with his visit and future prospects.
Great were the preparations at the castle during that week, and largely were the event of the approaching bonfire or fête discussed by all the tenants on the estate. Male and female, old and young, joined in the universal excitement. Yet there were three who used to be the
