THE MONNIELACK SHOOTINGS 163 



Colonel! But truly Nature has endowed Bessie with extra- 

 ordinary good looks." 



The next morning, in dread of what was to come, we were 

 both ushered upstairs to Mrs. Lovewell's room. To our sur- 

 prise she was dressed for travelling, and in reply to our " Good 

 morning!" she answered, "No, gentlemen, it is '(5afl^ morning!' 

 you should say ; but there, pray do not look so unhappy. I 

 have seen Donal, the stupid fellow, so already everything is 

 known to me, and he and I are off in immediate pursuit of that 

 silly husband of mine, who never could resist the sight of 

 a pretty face ; and it's little enough in that way I brought 

 him, for his winning manners and handsome face won me when 

 I was a widow old enough to have had more sense than to 

 marry again. There was a time, though — but let that pass > 

 so, gentlemen, pray join me. in viewing the matter from my 

 point of view, and let me see no more such melancholy faces 

 or doleful looks. It is poor Bessie that is most to be pitied, 

 but I think I have arranged how best to help her." 



We were so astonished and taken aback at Mrs. Lovewell's 

 views of the matter that all prearranged speeches of condolence 

 were scattered to the winds. I think I said out loud, " Well, 

 madam, you are a brick ! " and then proceeded to explain that 

 the culprits would be miles away by this time. 



"Don't tell me, Mr. Green," she interposed; "they are 

 both well known through all the country side, and could not 

 have gone off together without raising a hue and cry. Donal 

 found out everything the night before last, and Bessie's brother 

 is off after her, for luckily she made a confidante of her cousin, 

 who is kitchenmaid here, and the runaways have arranged to 

 go to Glasgow by different routes — Bessie by the long sea trip 

 round the Mull ; therefore, as her brother has started by train, 

 he will be in good time to meet the steamer and to escort his 

 sister to the rendezvous where the guilty pair are to meet this 

 evening. By that time / too shall be at the trysting place, 

 where the Colonel will meet the whole party. So now, please. 



