The Highland monthly - National Library of Scotland

580
The Highland Monthly.
They had not talked much to each other since the incident
of the Fir Walk, and the news he had to communicate
were not of a nature, bearing as it did on the Somertons,
he cared to discuss in David's presence.
" A letter for you, father," he said, studying the handwriting
with a look in which curiosity and anxiety co "-
bined ;
" may I open it ?"
" Pray do—a tenant's grumble, no doubt."
" It is from Professor Somerton," announced Richard,
with a start.
ing.
" What ?" queried the laird, pausing in his toilet mak-
" From the Professor, who has, I learned this morning,
left The Hall unexpectedly."
Adjusting his glasses, the laird read aloud:— "Professor
Somerton and his daughter regret that a matter of urgent
business has called them away sooner and in a greater
hurry than they expected, and before they could do them-
selves the long delayed, but always anticipated honour, of
calling at the castle and making the acquaintance of Mr
Stuart and his family ; but circumstances still allow of the
hope that they will yet know each other better in the near
future."
" A strange thing," remarked the laird, " to write such a
letter to me after living for months within a mile of the
castle, and remaining invisible the whole time."
Know each other better in the near future ? What
did it mean ? And as he asked himself the question,
David fixed his eyes enquiringly upon his brother.
" He's an eccentric old fellow, dad," remarked Richard,
avoiding his brother's look, but detecting its intent, " and
evidently a believer in the ' adage the least said soonest
mended.' I am off to tell the news."
Instead of doing so, however, Richard took a more
circuitous and less frequented route to his own apartments,
which he reached without encountering any member of the
household. Having carefully locked the door from the
.