Later on, Hamish took the opportunity of reading Miss Annabel a private
lecture on the expediency of minding her own business.
Hamish was in his new post now, at the bank: thoroughly
well-established. He had not yet taken up his abode in the house. It
was too large, he laughingly said, for a single man.
The breakfast came to an end, as other breakfasts do; and next,
Constance came down in her travelling dress. Now that the moment of
parting was come, Constance in her agitation longed for it to be over.
She hurriedly wished them adieu, and lifted her tearful face last to
her father.
Mr. Channing laid his hands upon her. "May God bless my dear child, and
be her guide and refuge for ever! William Yorke, it is a treasure of
great price that I have given you this day. May she be as good a wife
as she has been a daughter!"
Mr. Yorke, murmuring a few heartfelt words, put Constance into the
carriage, and they drove away.
"It will be your turn next," whispered Hamish to Ellen Huntley, who
stood watching the departure from one of the windows.
What Ellen would have said--whether she would have given any other
answer than that accorded by her blushing cheeks, cannot be told. The
whisper had not been quite so low as Hamish thought it, and it was
overheard by Mr. Huntley.
"There may be two words to that bargain, Mr. Hamish."
"Twenty, if you like, sir," responded Hamish, promptly, "so that they
be affirmative ones.
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