The festivities of the bridal were continued for many days, both in the
castle and among the servants; and during them the young couple were
abundantly discussed. One of these discussions, occurring between the
factor of the estate and Miss Campbell's maid, is worth repeating, as it
indicated a possible motive in the reticent little lady's life with which
her friends were not familiar.
"Wha are these Promoters?" asked the factor.
"They are a Fife family."
"Wasna that handsome young minister her brother?"
"He was that."
"He seems to hae set his heart on the heiress o' Drumloch."
"Captain Manners has the same notion."
"The minister will win."
"The minister will not win. Not he!"
The words were so emphatically snapped out that they were followed by a
distinct silence.
"Jessie," the factor said, "you are vera positive; but if there is one
thing mair unreliable than anither, it is a woman's fancy. The minister is
a braw lad."
"I ken ane that's worth twenty o' him, ay, I'll say, fifty o' him."
"You're no surely meaning that young Glasca' lawyer that comes here,
whiles."
"You're no surely meaning to pass an insult on Miss Mary, factor. I'm
thinking o' my Lord Forfar, and nae ither man to match him. He would kiss
my lady's little shoon, and think the honor too much for king or kaiser.
And for a' their plumes, and gold, and scarlet, the rattle o' their
swords, and the jingle o' their spurs, there wasna an officer at the
bridal I'd name in the same breath wi' Lord Lionel Forfar."
"But the minister"-"Houts! What does a bonnie lady, young and rich and beautiful, want
wi' a minister body, unless it be to marry her to some ither lad?"
"You're for Forfar because he is Fife."
"You're right--partly. I'm Fife mysel'. A' my gude common sense comes frae
Fife. But for that matter, the minister comes from the auld 'kingdom' too."
They were talking in a little room adjoining the servants' dining hall.
The factor was smoking, Jessie stood on the stone hearth, tapping her foot
restlessly upon it.
"What's the man thinking o'?" she exclaimed after a little. "One would say
you were at a funeral instead o' a wedding."
"Thoughts canna always be sent here or there, Jessie. I was wondering what
would come o' Drumloch if my lady took the Fife road. It would gie me sair
een to see its bonnie braes in the market."