‘But surely—surely—’ he began, ‘have you not a very high opinion of Miss Raeburn?’
‘The highest,’ said the other dryly.
‘But then——’
‘What I mean is, do you care enough to court a possible rebuff? You are not doing wisely if you don’t consider that. I say, a possible rebuff,’ continued his uncle.
‘Then you think she will refuse me?’
‘Heaven knows,’ responded Robert. ‘I can only tell you that to-day, when Miss Robertson inquired where you were, and I said that you were walking home from Morphie kirk with Cecilia, Speid was standing by looking as black as thunder.’
To those whose ill-fortune it is never to have been crossed in anything, a rival is another name for a rogue. Fordyce felt vindictive; he breathed heavily.
‘Do you think that Miss Raeburn is likely to—notice Speid?’
Robert’s mouth twitched. ‘It is difficult not to notice Gilbert Speid,’ he replied.
‘I really fail to see why everyone seems so much attracted by him.’