148 The Wroxg Man 



cuisk ? It was not without a sigh that he parted from 

 the Heathertons, and took his seat in the carriage that 

 had been sent to meet him. 



Hugh was so bored with his evening that a descrip- 

 tion of it would probably bore the reader. Mr. Higgs was 

 not an entertaining host, and as Matilda knew no more 

 about Hugh than that he was Sir George Wenhaston's 

 cousin, she did not think it worth while to try and be 

 particularly agreeable ; nor is it certain that such an 

 attempt would have been attended with success. Hugh 

 took down an aunt to dinner, who evidently thought that 

 it was a great privilege for any young man to be admitted 

 to acquaintance with the Higgses and to receive their 

 hospitality. She looked severely at him and shook her 

 head when he confessed that he had no business nor 

 profession, and did nothing to earn his living (whereat 

 Hugh seemed rather amused), and she hoped that he 

 would be careful and not injure himself or anyone else 

 with Mr. Higgs's guns. Hugh explained that he was 

 going stalking, had brought his own rifle, and having 

 hitherto been lucky in avoiding the destruction of com- 

 panions or gillies, he hoped that his good fortune in 

 this respect would continue ; but Miss Higgs was evi- 

 dently not convinced or pleased. A man of Mr Higgs's 

 age — his head clerk, as a matter of fact — and a 3'Oung 

 lady, who paid obsequious attention to Miss Higgs — the 

 head clerk's daughter — were the other members of the 

 party, and conversation chiefly turned on the family, 

 tastes, habits, and peculiarities of Lord Hardenoch and 

 his brother, the Hon. Lionel Checkless, who were to 

 honour Corriecuisk with their presence next week. 



Hugh was not sorry to get to his bedroom. Miss 

 Higgs, as she bade him good night, severely expressing 



