"I am sure of that. So, now, all is safe and right, and I may die as
soon as God pleases."

He leaned his head back wearily, and his face was overspread by that
melancholy shadow which it wore at times, showing how, at best, life was
a heavy burden, as it could not but be--to him.

"Come, now," said the earl, rousing himself, "we have still a good many
things to talk over, which I want to consult you about before you go,"
whereupon the young man opened up such a number of schemes, chiefly for
the benefit of his tenantry and the neighborhood, that Mr. Menteith was
quite overwhelmed.

"Why, my lord, you are the most energetic Earl of Cairnforth that ever
came to the title. It would take three lifetimes, instead of a single
one, even if that reached threescore and ten, to carry out all you want
to do."

"Would it? Then let us hope it was not for nothing that those good folk
yesterday made themselves hoarse with wishing me 'a lang life and a
merry ane.' And when I die--but we'll not enter upon that subject.
My dear old friend, I hope for many and many a thirtieth of June I shall
make you welcome to Cairnforth. And now let us take a quiet drive
together, and fetch all the Manse people up to dinner at the Castle."





Chapter 8