This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1881 edition. Excerpt: ...the gig neist time." And the good man departed. 1 Country. That invitation had been a real, though a momentary temptation to Isie. Country air, and rest at a farmhouse would have been a treat to her at any time; and to go to Fernytofts would be to see his home, the dearest place in the world to him, the scenes of his childhood and youth. And she felt sure what sort of a welcome she would get from the farmer and his wife. But, he was going there too--and in her heart Isie knew that it " wouldna dee." While it was her duty to remain with him, and he needed her care, she could do so fearlessly; but she would not of her own free will prolong the society which brought her such dangerous happiness: dangerous, that is to say, to the peace of her soul. For had Edmund Allardyce turned round now, and placed himself at her feet, I do not think Isie would have dreamt for a moment of renouncing in intention her life-long vows--cost her what it might. Afterwards, when she had settled him in bed for the night, Edmund said to her, " Well, I suppose, gin a week's time, I'll be fit to let ye away, Sister Isie. Ye'll be needin' to know--but I think we may safely say a week or six days, or even less, if ye like. I'm sure Mrs. Ross would do any little thing for a few days." " Ye'd best wait till ye can walk yer lone, Mr. Allardyce," said Isie. " Mrs. Ross mayn't be aye in the wye, and it would be some ackward for ye. Ye needn't mind about nottice to me--a day's long enough, fan I'm just gaen home." " Ye're very obligin', I'm sure, Sister. It's nae willingly that I'd keep ye hingin' on, fan there's others needin' ye mair than I. It'll be a blessing to ye ony wye, when ye're released from all this bother--and a wonderful blessing to me when I can do for myself again ..".