"Oh, own up, now; you mean you want to know if they 're married or single?" He was beginning to tease.
"Of course I do. This old manor has had a good many surprises for me already in these three weeks, you, for one—"
He threw back his head, laughing heartily.
"—And the 'elderly Scotchwoman', and Cale for a third; and if you would give me a hint as to the matrimonial standing of the two from over-seas, I should feel fortified against any future petticoat invasion of their wives, or children, or sweethearts."
Jamie laughed uproariously.
"Oh, Guy Mannering, hear her! I thought you said you saw Doctor Rugvie in the hospital."
"So I did; but it was only a glimpse, and a long way off, as he was passing through another ward."
He turned to me quickly. "It's Doctor Rugvie you want to know about then? Why about him, rather than Ewart?"
"Because,—('Be cautious,' I warned myself),—I happen to have known of him."
"Well, fire away, and I 'll answer to the best of my knowledge. I believe a woman lives, moves and has her being in details," he said a little scornfully.