Colonel Keith gave her a chair and footstool, and she sat with the baby
on her lap, while very few words were spoken. It was the Colonel who
asked her to take off the hood that hid the head and brow, and who
chiefly hazarded opinions as to likeness and colour of eyes. Lord Keith
looked earnestly and sadly, but hardly made any observation, except that
it looked healthier than he had been led to expect. He was sure it owed
much to Mrs. Keith's great care and kindness.
Rachel feared he would not be able to part with his little son, and
began to mention the arrangements she had contemplated in case he wished
to keep the child at Timber End. On this, Lord Keith asked with some
anxiety, if its presence were inconvenient to Mr. Clare; and being
assured of the contrary, said, "Then while you are so kind as to watch
over him, I much prefer that things should remain in their present
state, than to bring him to a house like this. You do not object?"
"Oh, no; I am so glad. I was only dreading the losing him. I thought
Mrs. Menteith wished for him when he is old enough to travel."
"Colin!" said Lord Keith, looking up sharply, "will nothing make the
Menteiths understand that I would rather put out the child to nurse in a
Highland hut than in that Babel of a nursery of theirs?"
Colin smiled and said, "Isabel does not easily accept an answer she
dislikes."
"But remember, both of you," continued Lord Keith, "that happen what
may, this poor child is not to be in her charge. I've seen enough of
her children left alone in perambulators in the sun. You will be in
Edinburgh?" he added, turning to Rachel.
"Yes, when Alick's leave ends."
"I shall return thither when this matter is over, I know I shall be
better at home in Scotland, and if I winter in Edinburgh, may be we
could make some arrangement for his being still under your eye."
Rachel went home more elevated than she had been for months past.