The dominie had felt certain that Colin would answer his letter in person, but after a long silence he received it back again.

Colin had left Rome, and left no trace behind him.

The laird knew that Tallisker had written, and he too had been hoping and expecting.

But he received the news of his son's disappearance without remark.

Life for some time was a dreary weight to him, he scarce felt as if he could lift it again.