Mrs.Alison, smiling upon him, presented him to Mrs.Goodworth, a dark, bright, black-eyed, talkative lady.

He and Munro Touris nodded to each other.

The laird of Black Hill, the India merchant, and the lawyer now joined them, and all strolled together along the very wide and straight graveled path.

The talk was chiefly upheld by Black Hill and the great trader, with the lawyer putting in now and again a shrewd word, and the trader's wife making aside to Mrs.Alison an embroidery of comment.

There had now been left trade in excelsis and host and guests were upon the state of the country, an unpopular war, and fall of ministers.