"No; I took you to see her. But I told you what to expect. What do you think of George Fergusson?"
"I had no opportunity to judge. I was told he was a ne'er-do-weel and spent his life in drawing-rooms."
"What old cat told you that?"
Meta's tone was indignant.
"He very seldom appears on his mother's 'at home' days. He is nearly always in Edinburgh. He is quite as clever as the doctor, and much more genial and brilliant in society."
Jean made no reply.
After a few minutes she said—
"Why did you never tell me there was another son? I thought Dr. Fergusson was the only one. He never mentions his brother."
"Leslie never talks of his own people or of himself at all. I wonder you have not discovered that. And George is not often at home. They hardly ever meet. How would you like Mrs. Fergusson as a mother-in-law? Do you think she would make a nice one?"
Jean looked at Meta in astonishment; then she said quietly—