The enclosure he had found from his sister was much shorter.
‘MY DEAR BROTHER,
‘Mary and I wish to send you our very kind love, and we hope that you will be happy. Is Miss Raeburn dark or fair? We hope she is fond of tambour-work. We have some new patterns from Edinburgh which are very pretty. We shall be very glad when you return. Our mother is not very well. There is no interesting news. Mrs. Fitz-Allen is to give a fête-champêtre with illuminations next week, but we do not know whether we shall be allowed to go as she behaved most unbecomingly to our mother, trying to take precedence of her at the prize-giving in the Lanark flower show. Lady Maria Milwright is coming to visit us in September. We shall be very pleased.
‘Your affectionate sister,
‘AGNETA FORDYCE.’
Fullarton’s good-humour was quite restored as uncle and nephew paced up and down the twilit avenue that evening. A long silence followed the announcement which the young man had just made.
‘Do you think I am doing wisely, sir?’ he said at last.
Fullarton smiled faintly before he replied; Crauford sometimes amused him.
‘In proposing to Cecilia? One can hardly tell,’ he replied; ‘that is a thing that remains to be seen.’
Perplexity was written in Crauford’s face.