Still, the tale was romantic and pathetic enough to make the earl and his young heir objects of marked interest, and welcome guests in the friendly hospitalities of the place, which hospitalities were gladly requited, for Lord Cairnforth still keenly enjoyed society, and Cardross was at an age when all pleasure is attractive.
People said sometimes, What a lucky fellow was Mr.Bruce-Montgomerie! But they also said--as no one could help seeing and saying--that very few fathers were blessed with a son half so attentive and devoted as this young man was to the Earl of Cairnforth.
And meantime Helen Bruce lived quietly at the Manse, devoting herself to the care of her father, who still lingered on, feeble in body, though retaining most of his faculties, as though death were unwilling to end a life which had so much of peace and enjoyment of it to the very last.
When the session was over, Cardross went home to see his mother and grandfather, and on his return Lord Cairnforth listened eagerly to all the accounts of Cairnforth, and especially of all that Mrs.Bruce was doing there; she, as the person most closely acquainted with the earl's affairs, having been constituted regent in his absence.
"She's a wonderful woman--my mother," said Cardross, with great admiration.

"She has the sense of a man, and the tact of a woman.

She is doing every thing about the estate almost as cleverly as you would do it yourself." "Is she?
It is good practice for her," said the earl.

"She will need it soon." Cardross looked at him.

He had never till then noticed, what other people began to notice, how exceedingly old the earl now looked, his small, delicate features withering up almost like those of an elderly man, though he was not much past forty.
"You don't, mean--oh no, not that! You must not be thinking of that.
My mother's rule at Cairnforth is a long way off yet." And--big fellow as he was--the lad's eyes filled with tears.
After that day he refused all holiday excursions in which Lord Cairnforth could not accompany him.