" That she would have made a better wife for Robert than the one he has chosen." " I hardly think so, Isabel. They were always quarrelling when they used to be together long ago. She is an assertive, self-reliant sort of woman; and Robert's disposi tion is too similar to permit them to agree." " Don't you like Joan, Robert?" "Like her? Oh yes. I have great respect for lier, and she has battled nobly for herself, but she is not exactly the sort of woman I would care to marry, you know." "Now I think she would make a perfectly splendid wife, Robert," said Isabel, warmly. Between our selves, I don't much admire Amy Burnett. She is so empty and shallow-hearted. A man like Robert will soon weary of her.', " I myself was astonished at his choice," Mr Angus conceded. " But ' what is one man's meat is another man's poison," you know, and it's a mercy we don't all fall in love with the same woman, or I wouldn't have had a chance with you. We will hope they will be happy, how ever. Bob's a good sort of chap, and deserves the best of wives." " I am sure he does for he will make the best of husbands. I only hope Amy will have the sense to appreciate him and try to make him happy," Isabel said, with a sigh and the subject dropped. CHAPTER X.—The Night Be fore. It was a lovely June evening ; scarcely a breath of wind stirred the bright summer leaves, yet there was nothing oppressive in the warm and balmy air, which had not yet lost the freshness of the spring. Every hedgerow and hawthorn tree was white with bloom, the sloping banks on tho broad highway to Strath blane were dotted with pink-lipped daisy, blue speedwell, shy primrose, and all the other wild flowers for which these banks were justly famed. The road itself was pleasant footing, for a refreshing shower had but newly laid tho dust, and was drawing forth the inner and most exquisite perfumes of the haw thorn and sweetbriar. Along this pleasant highway, towards sundown, walked Joan Laurence on her way to the Thorn. She carried in her hand a little basket in which, wrap ped in pink paper, lay her wedding present to Amy Burnett. 