I should have thought you had more good sense and regard
for me. If I were to tell the world why I wanted to keep you, people
would but shrug their shoulders and tell me to get rid of you; and
if I said nothing, there would always be something coming up that
required explanation. Besides, you would for ever be trying to convert
me to one or other of your foolish notions. I hardly know what to
do. I will consult--my friends on the subject. And yet I would
rather they knew nothing of it, My father you see--" She paused.
"If you had been my real brother it would have been different."
"I am your real brother, my lady, and I have tried to behave like
one ever since I knew it."
"Yes; you have been troublesome. I have always understood that
brothers were troublesome. I am told they are given to taking upon
them the charge of their sisters conduct. But I would not have even
you think me heartless. If you had been a real brother, of course
I should have treated you differently."
"I don't doubt it, my lady, for everything would have been different
then. I should have been the Marquis of Lossie, and you would have
been Lady Florimel Colonsay. But it would have made little difference
in one thing: I could not have loved you better than I do now--
if only you would believe it, my lady!"
The emotion of Malcolm, evident in his voice as he said this, seemed
to touch her a little.
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