255
CHAP. XIII.
The force of Prejudice.
It appeared extraordinary to Mrs Mason, that she should have been so long forgotten by her friends at Gowan-brae. Nearly a fortnight had now elapsed since Mr Stewart's last visit; and though he had been invited to the funeral, he had neither come nor sent any apology for his absence, which appeared the more unaccountable from the circumstance of his having been seen that very day riding full speed on the road to the market town. Certain that neither Mr Stewart nor Mary could
