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"Has any misfortune befallen the family?" asked Mrs Mason, anxiously.
"I kenna, madam," returned the servant, "whether it can be weel called a misfortune; for a marriage may be a vexation to ane's friends that's nae misfortune in the end." "And Miss Stewart has occasioned this vexation, I suppose?" said Mrs Mason.
"Ye guess right," returned the old man; "she has made a match to please hersel', and as she has brewed sae she maun drink; but my poor master taks it sair to heart; and it is e'en hard eneugh that the bairn should cross him maist, that he never crossed in his life."
Mrs Mason made no reply; but directing him to the stable to put up his horse for half an hour, said she should then be ready to accompany him. Having informed her cousin, in friendly terms, of the arrangements she had made with the Morisons, and assured her of the continuance of her kindness and good will, she
