who, having perused it with surprise, handed it to Charlie, saying, "What can you make of that?" Charlie perused it mechanically, when the following lines met his anxious gaze.
"Mr. Stuart,—Sir,—Being about leaving for London with my daughter, in company with Lord Lundy and his suite, his Lordship has directed me to inform your son, that the liberty he held from the former proprietor to shoot and fish on this estate, is now suspended—McKay."
Father and son gazed on each other, each looking for an explanation in the other's countenance. Charlie had for some time expected his Lordship's restrictions; but, how could he account for his neighbour's coolness, and the unmistakable tone of his note. Leaving without even a hint to those to whom he had always made known his intended movements, if only leaving for a short journey.
And Bella? What could he think of her? Was she also influenced by the same ambition as her father? Leaving without even a word or note for him. Yes, he thought, Lord Lundy had accomplished his purpose; the worldly McKay and his beautiful daughter were allured by the wealth and grandeur of nobility. What a blow to his hopes! the only being he loved was now to become the bride of his most inveterate enemy. His father, who perceived his changing countenance, read the struggle which was taking place in his noble heart, remarked mournfully, "I fear our neighbour has been allured by the display and grandeur of the wealthy Saxon; I expected as much when our rightful chief had unfortunately, lost his inheritance! Our name is doomed to be removed from its former exalted position and eventually take its place among inferior clans! Fate is against us, and our dearest friends are daily deserting us."
His father's touching remarks added to the distress of his mind; the world was nothing to him now, when his dear Bella was almost in the power of his hated rival without the aid of his own protection: but what! if she had become a passive auxiliary to her father's ambition. Harassed by these thoughts, he sought an interview
