“If they are pleased, we needna be otherwise.”
“Well!—no—but ain’t it a little sudden? It don’t seem but the other day since Mr Ruthven crossed the ocean.”
“But that wasna the first time he crossed the ocean. The first time they crossed it together. Allan Ruthven is an old friend, and Miss Graeme is no’ the one to give her faith lightly to any man.”
“Well! no, she ain’t. But, somehow, I had come to think that she never would change her state; and—”
“It’s no’ very long, then,” said his wife, laughing. “You’ll mind that it’s no’ long since you thought the minister likely to persuade her to it.”
“And does it please you that Mr Ruthven has had better luck?”
“The minister never could have persuaded her. He never tried very much, I think. And if Allan Ruthven has persuaded her, it is because she cares for him as she never cared for any other man. And from all that Will says, we may believe that he is a good man, and true, and I am glad for her sake, glad and thankful. God bless her.”
“Why, yes, if she must marry,” said Mr Snow, discontentedly; “but somehow it don’t seem as though she could fit in anywhere better than just the spot she is in now. I know it don’t sound well to talk about old maids, because of the foolish notions folks have got to have; but Graeme did seem one that would ‘adorn the doctrine’ as an old maid, and redeem the name.”
“That has been done by many a one already, in your sight and mine; and Miss Graeme will ‘adorn the doctrine’ anywhere. She has ay had a useful life, and this while she has had a happy one. But oh, man!” added Mrs Snow, growing earnest and Scotch, as old memories came over her with a sudden rush, “when I mind the life her father and her mother lived together—a life of very nearly perfect blessedness—I canna but be glad that Miss Graeme is to have a chance of the higher happiness that comes with a home of one’s own, where true love bides and rules. I ay mind her father and her mother. They had their troubles. They were whiles poor enough, and whiles had thraward folk to deal with; but trouble never seemed to trouble them when they bore it together. And God’s blessing was upon them through all. But I have told you all this many a time before, only it seems to come fresh and new to me to-day, thinking, as I am, of Miss Graeme.”
Yes, Mr Snow had heard it all many a time, and doubtless would hear it many a time again, but he only smiled, and said,—