Neil had heard nothing.  He had been shut up in his office all day over an important suit; and, when he took the street again, he was weary, and far from being inclined to join any acquaintances in conversation.  In fact, the absorbing topic was one which no one cared to introduce in Neil’s presence; and he himself was too full of professional matters to notice that he attracted more than usual attention from the young men standing around the store-doors, and the officers lounging in front of the ‘King’s Arms’ tavern.

He was irritable, too, with exhaustion, though he was doing his best to keep himself in control and when madam his mother said pointedly, “I’m fearing, Neil, that the bad news has made you ill; you arena at a’ like yoursel’,” he asked without much interest, “What bad news?”

“The news anent Katherine Van Heemskirk.”

He had supposed it was some political disappointment, and at Katherine’s name his pale face grew suddenly crimson.

“What of her?” he asked.

“Didna you hear?  She ran awa’ last night wi’ Captain Hyde; stole awa’ wi’ him on ‘The Dauntless.’”

“She would have the right to go with him, I have no doubt,” said Neil with guarded calmness.

“Do you really think she was his wife?”

“If she went with him, I am sure she was.”  He dropped the words with an emphatic precision, and looked with gloomy eyes out of the window; gloomy, but steadfast, as if he were trying to face a future in which there was no hope.  His mother did not observe him.  She went on prattling as she filled the elder’s cup, “If there had been any wedding worth the name o’ the thing, we would hae been bidden to it.  I dinna believe she is married.”

“Are you sure that she sailed with Captain Hyde in ‘The Dauntless,’ or is it a pack of women’s tales?”

“The news cam’ wi’ your fayther the elder,” answered madam, much offended.  “You can mak’ your inquiries there if you think he’s mair reliable than I am.”

Neil looked at his father, and the elder said quietly, “I wouldna be positive anent any woman; the bad are whiles good, and the good are whiles bad.  But there is nae doubt that Katherine has gone with Hyde; and I heard that the military at the ‘King’s Arms’ have been drinking bumpers to Captain Hyde and his bride; and I know that Mrs. Gordon has said they were married lang syne, when Hyde couldna raise himsel’ or put a foot to the ground.  But Joanna told your mother she had neither seen nor heard tell o’ book, ring, or minister; and, as I say, for mysel’ I’ll no venture a positive opinion, but I think the lassie is married to the man she’s off an’ awa’ wi’.”

“But if she isna?” persisted madam.

In a moment Neil let slip the rein in which he had been holding himself, and in a slow, intense voice answered, “I shall make it my business to find out.  If Katherine is married, God bless her!  If she is not, I will follow Hyde though it were around the world until I cleave his coward’s heart in two.”  His passion grew stronger with its utterance.  He pushed away his chair, and put down his cup so indifferently that it missed the table and fell with a crash to the floor.