"I have no right whatever to question, or even to speculate concerning your heir, who is doubtless the fittest person you could have selected." "Most certainly," replied the earl, in a manner which put a final stop to the conversation.
It was not resumed on any other topics; and shortly afterward, Malcolm having come in with the announcement that the carriage had returned from the Manse (at which Captain Bruce's sharp eyes were bent scrutinizing on the earl's face, but learned nothing thence), the cousins separated.
The captain had faithfully promised to be up at dawn to see the travelers off, but an apology came from him to the effect that the morning air was too damp for his lungs, and that he had spent a sleepless night owning to his cough.
"An' nae wonder," remarked Malcolm, cynically, as he delivered the message, "for I heard him a' through the wee hours walkin' and walkin' up and doun, for a' the world like a wolf in a cage.

And eh, but he's dour the day!" "A sickly man finds it difficult not to be dour at times," said the Earl of Cairnforth..