But
whist--not a word out o' your mouth! Our wean has got thon ither wee
comrade to steady him _now_."
McGregor did steady Henry. They fished Gartan Lough; they boated, they
shot over the mountains, they skated on the same lovely expanse of lake,
and they heard, in the marshes each Easter the whirring bleat of the
snipe. This was the history of school and college vacations for many
years. Then first love came--society was sought for; the neighbouring
clergy and their families came to Gartan Rectory; young couples wandered
blissfully in the fairest scenes in all the world. The friends loved the
same sweet maiden, and she deceived them both, and married a ponderous
rector, possessed of six hundred per annum, the very year they left old
Trinity! They were firmer friends than ever, yet that sweet false one
was never mentioned between them. In a reverently-veiled corner in each
heart, however, still dwelt a dear ideal which the false beloved had not
been able to destroy.
Then events crowded upon Mrs. Archer. The Rector died, and she left her
old home; and her son and his friend went into the army, Henry as sub.,
Malcolm as surgeon.
At the commencement of the story, Malcolm was assuring the mother that
he would stand by Henry in all dangers--under all circumstances
whatever.
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