Her days of sorrow were ended.
Laird Cairnforth saw how violently affected she was, and began to talk to her in a commonplace and practical manner about all that he and Cardross had been arranging that morning.
"And I must say that, though he will never shine at college, and probably his grandfather would mourn over him as having no learning, there is an amount of solid sense about the fellow with which I am quite delighted.

He is companionable too--knows how to make use of his acquirements.

Whatever light he possesses, he will never hide it under a bushel, which is, perhaps, the best qualification for the position that he will one day hold.

I have no fear about Cardross.

He will be an heir after my own heart--will accomplish all I wished, and possibly a little more." Mrs.Bruce answered only by tears.
"But there is one thing which he and I have settled between us, subject to your approval, of course.