Bella was strictly true in her remarks on the fashionable and gay company with which she daily mixed; for never had a girl in her station, and at her age, had the same advantageous and brilliant career before them. A doating and wealthy Uncle, without any family upon whom he could bestow his affections; a handsome and affectionate brother, who now held a commission under Captain Somerville, in the Guards, through the influence of Lord Lundy, and who had introduced her and her relations into the highest circles.
Yet, with all these brilliant prospects before her, Bella was not happy; the only pleasure she had was in the solitude of her own chamber,—with her maid, indulging in fond remembrances of the many happy hours passed in the company of Charlie Stuart.
Her father left London after a short stay, leaving his fond, but unhappy, daughter, with her Uncle for the term of two years, at the expiration of which she was to become the bride of Lord Lundy.
Charlie having now become a constant and favourite visitor at the Forbes's, was considered almost a member of the family by all, particularly Catherine, with whom he always held a long conversation. Bella McKay's silence was attributed by the young couple to high notions which she had cultivated through mixing with the aristocracy; and, above all, the prospect of an exalted connection.
Among the visitors at the Forbes's was a Captain Campbell, belonging to one of the Highland regiments at that time stationed at the Castle, the Captain was a specimen of those jolly Highland officers whose only fault, if fault it can be called, was in indulging (particularly over his whisky toddy) in a little bombast, extolling the feats and bravery of his own clan. This harmless bravado was often brought to an amusing termination by our old acquaintance, John Lom, who had lately joined the same regiment, introducing the Battle of Inverlochy, where the Campbells suffered an ignominious defeat at the hands of the McDonalds, and other clans under Montrose. The account, as rendered by the mischievous Ensign, always set the company in roars of
