And mind, I am not asking
you to conceal anything that could reflect honour upon you or
dishonour upon us."
"I cannot, my lady."
"I scarcely thought you would. Only you hold such grand ideas about
self denial, that I thought it might be agreeable to you to have
an opportunity of exercising the virtue at a small expense and a
great advantage."
Malcolm was miserable. Who could have dreamed to find in her such
a woman of the world! He must break off the hopeless interview.
"Then, my lady," he said, "I suppose I am to give my chief attention
to Kelpie, and things are to be as they have been."
"For the present. And as to this last piece of presumption, I will
so far forgive you as to take the proceeding on myself--mainly
because it would have been my very choice had you submitted it to
me. There is nothing I should have preferred to a sea voyage and
returning to Lossie at this time of the year.
"But you also must be silent on your insufferable share in the
business. And for the other matter, the least arrogance or assumption
I shall consider to absolve me at once from all obligation towards
you of any sort. Such relationships are never acknowledged."
"Thank you--sister," said Malcolm--a last forlorn experiment;
and as he said the word he looked lovingly in her eyes.
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