"I am doubting we hae lost Canny Elshie for gude an' a'."

"You have indeed," exclaimed Ratcliffe, producing a paper, which heput into Hobbie's arms; "but read that, and you will perceiveyou have been no loser by having known him."

It was a short deed of gift, by which "Sir Edward Mauley,otherwise called Elshender the Recluse, endowed Halbert or HobbieElliot, and Grace Armstrong, in full property, with aconsiderable sum borrowed by Elliot from him."

Hobbie's joy was mingled with feelings which brought tears downhis rough cheeks.

"It's a queer skinnyg," he exclaimed; "but I canna joy in the gear,unless I kend the puir body was happy that gave it me."