His eyes caught a momentary
fire from his irritation; but he struggled in vain
for words to express himself adequately, as, looking
from his servant to his niece and then to the
table, he laboured to explain that they had placed
it (though it touched his chair) at too great a distance
from him.
The young person, who had naturally a resigned
Madonna-like expression of countenance, listened
to his impatient chiding with the most humble submission,
checked the servant, whose less delicate
feelings would have entered on his justification, and
gradually, by the sweet and soft tone of her voice,
soothed to rest the spirit of causeless irritation.
She then cast a look towards me, which expressed,
``You see all that remains of him whom you
call friend.'' It seemed also to say, ``Your longer
presence here can only be distressing to us all.''
``Forgive me young lady,'' I said, as well as
tears would permit; ``I am a person deeply obliged
to your uncle. My name is Croftangry.''
``Lord! and that I should not hae minded ye,
Maister Croftangry,'' said the servant. ``Ay, I
mind my master had muckle fash about your job.
I hae heard him order in fresh candles as midnight
chappit, and till't again.
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