To go at once to Helen, whatever her misery was, appeared to him beyond question.

To take Mr.Cardross in his present state, or the lad Duncan, was not desirable: some people, good as they may be, are not the sort of people to be trusted in calamity.

And Helen's other brothers were out and away in the world, scattered all over Scotland, earning, diligently and hardly, their daily bread.
There was evidently not a soul to go to her help except himself.

Her brief and formal letter, breaking down into that piteous cry of "help me," seemed to come out of the very depths of despair.

It pierced to the core of Lord Cairnforth's heart; and yet--and yet--he felt that strange sense of exultation and delight.
Even Malcolm noticed this.
"Your lordship has gotten gude news," said he.