CHAPTER IX.
Fighting Jack.
Upon his arrival at Edinburgh, Charlie visited Mr. Forbes (or advocate Forbes, as he was more frequently called), the leading and brightest luminary of the Scottish bar, to present his father's credentials. Mr. Forbes had been a widower for several years, and had been married to a sister of the late Mrs. McKay, Bella's mother. Charlie was warmly received by the advocate, who introduced him to his family, which consisted of three grown-up daughters, of very attractive appearance, particularly the youngest, a co-age of her cousin Bella, and who bore a most remarkable likeness to her, the only difference being that Catherine's hair and eyes were a shade lighter, but in other respects, even to her voice and movements, the resemblance was so great that Charlie thought himself in the company of his lost Bella, while listening to the sweet and musical voice of her cousin.
A confidence sprung up between the young couple, which soon increased to love, on the part of Catherine, who, in her simplicity, interpreted the Highlander's partiality to herself to that passion.
Charlie was a little disappointed when, alluding to Bella in their conversation, to find that she had never mentioned his name when Mr. McKay and herself called on their way to London, although a mutual engagement was made between them to keep up a confidential correspondence.
The unintentional impression which Charlie had made upon the heart of Catherine Forbes may be better understood by her first letter to Bella, of which the following is a copy:—
"My Dear Cousin Bella—Your welcome letter, informing me of your safe arrival, came duly to hand. I little suspected when we parted, and promised each other to communicate our secrets, that I should so soon have one to confess. Yes; even in the short time which has elapsed your poor simple cousin has literally lost her heart; and who do you think has been the involuntarily robber? No other than your handsome (and as he terms himself) your old playfellow, Charles Edward Stuart—what a lovely name!
