"You brave intrepid woman," said Rowena, when she saw her. "How can you venture out in such weather?"
"I am very hardy. It is a real treat to have a talk with you, so don't pity me. I only wish we were nearer you. It is an unnatural life for you to live. You are so young to be so much alone."
"But I feel very matured and old," said Rowena, "especially since my dear Mysie has left me. A child keeps one young."
"Do you have good accounts of her?"
"We write to each other once a fortnight; I believe she is getting on, but a child never expresses her feelings as we should."
"Her father has shut up his house for the winter?"
"I fancy he will come back for Mysie's holidays."
"I was so thankful that my match did not come off! I heard several things afterwards about Miss Falconer that surprised me very much. But I am sure she was in love with him."
Rowena laughed; and Mrs. Macintosh said hurriedly:
"I know you think me an old gossip! But in the wilds here we can't help taking an interest in our neighbours. And I would like to see the laird married again; he is not an old man, and he wants some one to brighten him up, and make him younger!"