his eye. "Besides, most of them are lads, and what with school, sea,
and India, they will be easily disposed of."

"Certainly it has been so in our family," said Colin, rather
hoarsely, as he thought of the four goodly brothers who had once
risen in steps between him and the Master.

"And," added Lord Keith, still without direct answer, "she is so
handsomely provided for, that you see, Colin, I could afford to give
you up the Auchinvar property, that should have been poor Archie's,
and what with the farms and the moor, it would bring you in towards
three hundred a year for your housekeeping."

Colin restrained himself with difficulty, but made quiet answer.
"I had rather see it settled as a provision on Mary and her
children."

Lord Keith growled something about minding his own concerns.

"That is all I desire," responded the Colonel, and therewith the
conference ended. Nor was the subject recurred to. It was
observable, however, that Lord Keith was polite and even attentive to
Ermine. He called on her, sent her grouse, and though saying
nothing, seemed to wish to make it evident that his opposition was
withdrawn, perhaps as no longer considering his brother's affairs as
his own, or else wishing to conciliate him. Lady Temple was not
molested by any alarming attentions from him. But for the
proclamation, the state of siege might have been unsuspected. He
settled himself at the southern Gowanbrae as if he had no conquest to
achieve but that of the rheumatism, and fell rapidly into sea-side