'
'Maybe no,' returned the old Scotchman, dryly; 'but every mickle
makes a muckle, and ye ken the Lead wull hae mony sma' nuggets,
which is mair paying, to my mind, than yin large ain.'
'What's the time?' asked Madame, rather irrelevantly, turning to
Archie.
Mr McIntosh drew out the large silver watch, which was part and
parcel of himself, and answered gravely that it was two o'clock.
'Then I'll tell you what,' said Mrs Villiers, rising; 'I'll take it
in with me to Ballarat and show it to Mr Marchurst.'
McIntosh drew down the corners of his mouth, for, as a rigid
Presbyterian, he by no means approved of Marchurst's heretical
opinions, but of course said nothing as Madame wished it.
'Can I come with you, Madame?' said Vandeloup, eagerly, for he never
lost an opportunity of seeing Kitty if he could help it.
'Certainly,' replied Madame, graciously; 'we will start at once.'
Vandeloup was going away to get ready, when McIntosh stopped him.
'That friend o' yours is gangin' awa' t' the toun the day,' he said,
touching Vandeloup lightly on the shoulder.
'What for?' asked the Frenchman, carelessly.
''Tis to see the play actors, I'm thinkin',' returned Archie, dryly.
'He wants tae stap all nicht i' the toun, so I've let him gae, an'
have tauld him to pit up at the Wattle Tree Hotel, the landlord o'
which is a freend o' mine.'
'Very kind of you, I'm sure,' said Vandeloup, with a pleasant smile;
'but may I ask what play actors you refer to?'
'I dinna ken anythin' about sic folk,' retorted Mr McIntosh,
piously, 'the deil's ain bairns, wha wull gang into the pit of
Tophet.
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