'It came to me in quite a providential way, seeing that I felt rather under an obligation to Roderick Brown just then, and therefore softened to him in the matter of his courtship to our Sophia. We got lost in the mist this forenoon on Craig Findochart, and we all got scattered. If it had not been for Roderick Brown, I believe I might have been there yet. But we got down at last, and came right upon a shepherd's shieling, where I waited and got dried, till a vehicle could be sent for me from the inn. The shepherd's wife,--Boague is her name, and I owe her some flannel for her hospitality,--seems a very worthy woman, and an earnest adherent of the church, and it was she told me it all. Told it in a very proper spirit. I believe she is a worthy woman, and seemed to deplore most properly the sad falling away of one of our office-bearers. But do you not agree with me, such a man should be made an example of?'

'Made an example of? Whom would I make an example of? I would make an example of the idle tattling woman who makes free with the names and reputations of her betters! If I lived in the good old times when my father was Provost of Forfar, and if I filled his shoes, I would have her tawed through the town at the cart's tail, and so teach her to weigh her words. And as for you, Kirsty! I am surprised that a good woman should lend so ready an ear to foolish slander, without a shred of proof to support it. You have known the Browns all their lives, and yet you will let the idle blathers of an ignorant cottar wife set you against them! I thought you had set your mind on getting the girl for Peter. How will circulating slanders against the brother help you there?'

'The girl, Mr. Sangster, has other views, it would appear. She left Peter in the mist and rode away with Captain Drysdale to Inchbracken. Brother and sister seem both tarred with the same stick. But she shall never have it to say that she jilted my Peter! When her brother is disgraced that 'will be reason enough why Peter should not press his suit with the young lady.'

'Don't let your tongue run away with you, my dear. I see no prospect, and I hope there is none, of your ever disgracing Roderick Brown, and I warn you never to repeat to any one the trumpery story you have woke me up to listen to; your husband will have heavy damages to pay, if you so far forget yourself.'

'But it is a spiritual matter, and will go before the Church Courts.'

'Even if it did, my dear, a civil action would lie, so you had better take care. The damages would be perhaps a thousand pounds, besides expenses.'

'But what did we leave the Establishment for, if we are still to be answerable to the Court of Session.'

'If we left it for that purpose, my dear, it was a false move, for we are still the Queen's'subjects, and liable to be sued in all her courts. If you circulate a slander to a man's civil injury, you must pay for it, and your circulating it through the Courts of the Free Church will not save you from the consequences, and very properly, too! So take my advice for once, and say no more about it. Now, get to bed.'

Mrs. Sangster had much too high an opinion of her own perspicacity to be moved an inch from her belief in the minister's wrong-doing, by anything her spouse could say; in fact, as a superior woman, she felt bound to believe it all the more on that account. At the same time his plain common sense impressed her uncomfortably, and though she would have scouted to own its influence, she yet had no wish to meet it in collision. She therefore forbore to say anything on the subject next day, though it was much in her thoughts; just as the owner of some delicate fancy article will be careful how he brings it within the brutal swing of a sledge hammer, though he does not therefore part with his property.

Sophia had a bad cold, and Peter was laid up with toothache, swelled face, rheumatism, and most of the other aches and pains possible to frail humanity after being drenched to the skin. Mr. Sangster had gone off to attend a fair, and only the hostess was left to amuse the guest. Mr. Wallowby had sauntered round the garden, the stable, and the cattlepens, consuming much tobacco as he went, and now he was returned indoors. Mrs. Sangster had provided him with newspapers, magazines and such light reading as she could lay her hands on; he had looked at them and laid them down; and now the two were confronting each other in the drawing-room making themselves miserable in abortive conversation. Neither was more stupid or worse informed than people in general; on the contrary, both were sharp enough; but by no device could they contrive to make their ideas run in parallel trains. Whatever was said by the one was answered by the other at cross purposes, till both felt themselves sinking into helpless fatuity. Wallowby held up his book that he might yawn behind it, the lady went to the window, that she might take the same relaxation undisturbed.