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Rh get on in the world. It will no be very solitary for you, for there's Dugald McLachlan and his wife for company. So let us see about drafting the sheep, and you may have what horse you like; I'll no be beat by Mr. Hammond; ye'll get as good a beast to carry you from Branxholm as from Aralewin."

All these matters being settled, George Copeland went to his new duties in a very few days. Jessie missed him, but then everybody in the house, even the phlegmatic old Highland shepherd, regretted Chorche, as he called him, and half wished that he had gone to Gundbook instead of Dugald McLachlan. The new man who was engaged to fill Copeland's place was not to be compared to him in any way, and Jessie liked to hear the disparaging parallel drawn. It showed that she had had some excuse for her regard for him, and that she was only reasonably affected by his absence.

Mr. and Mrs. Hammond, who had reckoned with certainty on engaging Copeland after what had been said, were naturally disappointed and annoyed when he changed his mind, and the lady thought it was just that vulgar family's luck, and another instance of the unscrupulousness of the lower orders in this country with regard to breaking engagements.