"She did. I had forgotten. To James Lockerby's, I think she said."
"Yes, his daughter is engaged to David Grant. It is her betrothal party."
There was a moment's pause, then she continued: "I met Thomas Reid to-day on Buchanan Street. He told me that the city intended nominating him for Parliament."
"Him!"
"Yes. He said it was a great prospect, requiring extra diligence in business and very punctual observance of church ordinances."
"Had the city of Glasgow no better man to send to Parliament than Thomas Reid—although Reid is a clever man—unquestionably so."
"He has at least survived, and that is the cleverness, according to Darwin. He sent Marion a message, but I have not given it to her."
"What had he to say to Marion?"
"He asked me to remind her of the opportunities she had thrown away. He said if he was sent to Parliament he should take all his family to London for the season, and that then Marion might have stepped into a circle above her own—the very best society, of course, being open to a woman with a father in Parliament."
"What answer did you make, Jessy?"