’Scarcely.  They’ve been companions—­in misfortune, I had almost said—­for a long time, and it is natural that they should feel kindly towards each other.  Miss Bourhill Graham must needs aim a little higher.  I like the young fellow, however.  There’s an honesty of purpose and a fearless individuality about him which refreshes one.  Odd, isn’t it, to find two such gems in such a place?’

‘Rather; but I don’t agree with all you say,’ replied the minister, ’and I’ll watch with interest the development of Miss Graham’s history.  If that determined-looking youth doesn’t have a hand in it, I’ve made a huge mistake, that’s all.’

Mr. Fordyce had made his plans for the day, and arranged with his wife to bring the carriage to Colquhoun Street at five o’clock.  Gladys had been made acquainted with this arrangement, and acquiesced in it.  It was about four o’clock when they returned to the empty house, which looked more cheerless than usual after the beauty and freshness of the country.

‘Now, my dear,’ said the lawyer, ’we must have a little talk before Mrs. Fordyce comes.  I have a great deal to say to you.  You remember you would not allow me to speak to you about business affairs until all was over?’

‘Yes,’ answered Gladys, and seated herself obediently, but without betraying the slightest interest or anticipation.

‘I shall be as brief and simple as possible,’ he continued.  ’I told you that you need have no anxiety about your future, that it was assured by your uncle’s will.  You were not aware, I suppose, that he died a rich man?’

’No; I have heard people call him rich, but I never believed it.  He spoke and acted always as if he were very poor.’

’That is the policy of many who have earned money hardly, and are loath to spend it.  Well, it is you who will reap the benefit of his economy.  About six months ago your uncle called upon me at my office for the first time in connection with the purchase of a small residential estate in Ayrshire.  He wished to buy it, and did so—­at a bargain, for there were few offers for it.  That estate was Bourhill, and it was for you it was bought.  You are absolutely its owner to-day.’

‘I—­owner of Bourhill?’ she repeated slowly, and as if she did not comprehend.  ‘I owner of Bourhill?’

’Yes, my dear young lady; I congratulate you, not only as mistress of Bourhill, but also as mistress of what, to you, must seem a large fortune.  Your uncle has left you Bourhill and the sum of ten thousand pounds.’

She received this announcement in silence, but all the colour left her face.

‘Oh,’ she cried at length, in a voice sharp with pain, ’how wrong! how hard!  To live here in such poverty, to be so hard on others, to act a lie.  It was that, Mr. Fordyce.  Oh, my poor uncle!’

Her distress was keen.  It showed itself in her heaving breast, her saddened eye, her drooping lips.  She could not realise her own great fortune; she could only think of what it had cost.  The lawyer was deeply moved, and yet not surprised.  It was natural that a nature so fine, so conscientious, and so true, should see at once the terrible injustice of it all.