It was a pale, thin, dark face, that might have been redeemed by the broad, smooth forehead, shaped round by bands of dark brown hair, and lighted by the large, tender, thoughtful gray eyes, had not that forehead worn a look of anxious care, and those eyes an expression of eager inquiry.
"But then I am so plain--so very, very plain," she said to herself, as if uttering the negation of some preceding train of thought.
And with a deep sigh she retired to rest.
The next day Girzie Ross herself was the first to speak of the young marquis.
"I hae been thinking, young leddy, what garred ye ask me gin the young laird, were troth plighted.

And I mistrust ye must hae heard these fule stories anent his hardship, having a sweetheart at Ben Lone.

There's nae truth in sic tales, me leddy.

No that I'm denying she's a handsome hizzy, this Rose Cameron; but she's nae one to mak' the young laird forget his rank.

Ye'll no credit sic tales, me young leddy." "I have heard no tales of the sort," said Salome, looking up in surprise.
"Ay, hae ye no?
Aweel, then, its nae matter," said the dame.
"But what tales are there, Mrs.Ross ?" uneasily inquired the heiress.
And then she instantly perceived the indiscretion of her question, and regretted that she had asked it.
"Ou aye, it's just the fule talk o' thae gossips up by Ben Lone.