The proposal was one after the Singletons' own heart.

Every one looked towards the young laird.
Singleton was a dark, mild-looking youth, old for his years, and up till the present time a stranger to his clan.

For, as has already been hinted, he had but just returned from England, where his boyhood had been spent, to celebrate his coming of age.

Great things were expected of him, not only as the head of the clan, but as the son of his brave father, who had died twelve years ago; and since whose death the Singletons had been leaderless.

With a bold leader they might achieve anything; and they now welcomed the presence of a chief once more in their midst with all the hope and confidence of sons welcoming a father.
It was, therefore, with astonishment and dismay that they heard him reply to auld Geordie's proposal-- "I did not know the Singletons were highwaymen!" If the roof had fallen in it could not have caused greater consternation.