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It would be a nice anecdote in the annals of the Fordyces of Potlurg!" "At the same time, what more natural?" rejoined her father. "His friends must in any case be applied to! I learn from his pocket-book " "Father!" "Content yourself, Alexa. I have a right to know whom I receive under my roof. Besides, have I not learned thereby that the youth is a sort of connection!"
She was what most would call a strong nature, nor knew what weaknesses belong to, and grow out of, such strength as hers. The remoter scions of a family tree are not seldom those who make most account of it; the school-master's daughter knew more about the Fordyces of Potlurg, and cared more for their traditions, than any who of later years had reaped its advantages or shared its honors.
George occupied a place of trust in the bank, and, though not yet admitted to a full knowledge of its more important transactions, hoped soon to be made a partner. When his father came to Potlurg to see him the laird declined to appear, and the banker contented himself thereafter with Alexa's bulletins.
Nowise bound, they were on terms of intimacy: was she to encourage the procession of that intimacy, or to ward attempt at nearer approach? George returned, and made an early appearance at Potlurg. Dawtie met him in the court. She did not know him, but involuntarily shrunk from him. He frowned.
It would be three weeks before the assizes came. The house of Potlurg was searched by the police from garret to cellar, but in vain; the cup was not found. As soon as they gave up searching, Alexa had the old door of the laird's closet, discernible enough on the inside, reopened, and the room cleaned. Almost unfurnished as it was, she made of it her sitting-parlor.
He came first upon Andrew trying to make Miss Fordyce swallow a little of the brandy. "There's but one gentleman hurt, sir," said the guard. "The other's only a young lady that's run till she's dropped." "To bring brandy," supplemented Andrew. The doctor recognized Alexa, and wondered what reception her lather would give his patient, for to Potlurg he must go!
He's not even the rustic gentleman! He's downright vulgar! a clod-hopper born and bred! But the lease, I understand, will soon be out, and Potlurg will never let him have it! I will see to that! The laird hates the canting scoundrel! I would rather pay him double the rent myself!" His behavior now did not put Andrew's manners in the shade!
Alexa saw that if she consented to see him he would take it as a permission to press his claim, and the idea was not to be borne. She wrote him therefore a stiff letter, telling him the house was at his service, but he must excuse herself. The next morning brought him early to Potlurg. The cause of his haste was his uneasiness about the chalice.
He would thus also manifest self-denial and avoid the charge of interested motives! he could not face the suspicion of being a suitor with nothing to offer! George had always taken the grand role that of superior, benefactor, bestower. He was powerful in condescension! Not, therefore, until the night before he sailed did he go to Potlurg. Alexa received him with a shade of displeasure.
A few days after she and Dawtie carried the cup to Crawford, a parcel arrived at Potlurg, containing a beautiful silver case, and inside the case the jeweled watch with a letter from George, begging Alexa to accept his present, and assuring her of his conviction that the moment he annoyed her with any further petition, she would return it.
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