Other things being equal, Finlay might
be doing very well for himself. As they talked of
Scotland--it transpired that Dr Drummond knew all the
braes about Bross as a boy--he found himself more than
ever annoyed with Finlay about the inequality of other
things; and when they passed Knox Church and Miss Cameron
told him she hadn't realized it was so imposing an edifice,
he felt downright sorry for the woman.
Dr Drummond had persuaded Finlay to go to Winnipeg with
a vague hope that something. in the fortnight's grace
thus provided, might be induced to happen. The form it
oftenest took to his imagination was Miss Christie's
announcement, when she set foot upon the station platform,
that she had become engaged, on the way over, to somebody
else, some fellow-traveller. Such things, Dr Drummond
knew, did come about, usually bringing distress and
discomfiture in their train. Why, then, should they not
happen when all the consequences would be rejoiceful?
It was plain enough, however, that nothing of the kind
had come to pass. Miss Christie had arrived in Elgin,
bringing her affections intact; they might have been in
any one of her portmanteaux. She had come with definite
calm intention, precisely in the guise in which she should
have been expected. At the very hour, in the very clothes,
she was there.
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