'What?' he cried, suddenly alarmed. 'Break her engagement! Surely ye dinna mean that! Did she say onything? Did she seem offended? Did she——'
'Never a word—but her look was different. But whatever stupid thing the laddie may ha'e done, his heart's set on Christina. It wud break his heart if——'
'This is bad,' said John, all dismayed. 'I didna think it wud be that serious. But I'll tell ye what I'll dae, Lizzie. I'll gang the morn and see Christina an' tell her——'
'What'll ye tell her?'
'Dear knows! What wud ye say yersel'?'
'Neither you nor me can say onything. Macgreegor'll ha'e to explain—if he can.'
Mr. Robinson groaned, then brightened. 'I yinst had a cousin called Maggie,' he said; 'unfortunately she's been deid for fifteen year. Still——'
'It's time ye was in yer bed, John. Ye canna dae onything, ma man, excep' hope for the best.'
* * * * *
At dead of night—