But the old pair drew back in some indignation. “Na, na!” they exclaimed; “it isn’t our love for them or for her as can be purchased for gowd.”
“Well, as you please, my good people. I respect you all the more for refusing. But now, may I ask you a question?”
“And whatever may that be?” exclaimed Jean.
“I have looked through your late mistress’s effects——”
“And whatever may ‘effects’ be?” inquired Donald.
“What she has left behind her.”
“Ay, the laird uses grand words,” remarked Donald, turning to his wife.
“Maybe,” said Jean; “but its the flavor of the Scotch in the speech that softens my heart the most.”
“Well,” said Sir John quickly, “there’s one little packet I cannot find. Miss Vivian wrote to me about it in a letter which I received after her death. I haven’t an idea what it contained; but she seemed to set some store by it, and it was eventually to be the property of the young ladies.”