Just then there was a knock at the door, and though she had a moment’s wonder at anyone’s coming up the hill, so early in such rough weather, she cried out, “Come in. Lift the hasp, and come in.” Then she turned round to see who would enter. It was Roberta Ruleson.
CHAPTER XIII
THE RIGHT MATE AND THE RIGHT TIME
For the destiny whereof they were worthy drew them unto this end.—Wisdom of Solomon, xix, 4.
Mercifully ordain that we may become aged together.—Tobit, viii, 7.
The Bride of Love and Happiness!
Roberta Ruleson was the last person in the world Christine expected to see. She came in smiling, and with outstretched hand said, “Dear Christine, tell me that you are glad to see me.”
“There’s nane living, Roberta, saving your ain husband, I would be gladder to see.”
“I have sent the carriage away, can I stop with you this night?”
“You can stay as long as you want to stay. I will be gey glad o’ your company.”
“I have long looked for an opportunity to come to you. At last I pretended to be very sick with rheumatism, and had a famous physician to see me. Of course I had looked up the symptoms I had to complain of, and I succeeded in deceiving him. He was puzzled about my freedom from fever, but 340 I told him ‘it came bad enough every third day,’ and he said he would see me on the third day. My brother and his saucy wife left for Edinburgh yesterday, and they think I am safe in bed. I am safe here. I left Glasgow an hour after they did.”