“For,” said his guardian, sadly, “I own, I never thought of him as a young man—­or as a man at all; nevertheless, he is one, and will always be.  That clear, cool head of his, just for brains, pure brains, is worth both his father’s and grandfather’s put together.”

And when Helen repeated this saying to Lord Cairnforth, he smiled his exceedingly bright smile, and was more cheerful, joyous, for days after.

On Mr. Menteith’s return home, he sent back to the Castle one of his old clerks, who had been acquainted with the Cairnforth affairs for nearly half a century; he also was astonished at the capacity which the young earl showed.  Of course, physically, he was entirely helpless; the little forked stick was still in continual requisition; nor could he write except with much difficulty; but he had the faculty of arrangement and order, and the rare power—­rarer than is supposed—­of guiding and governing, so that what he could not do himself he could direct others how to do, and thus attain his end so perfectly, that even those who knew him best were oftentimes actually amazed at the result he effected.

Then he enjoyed his work; took such an interest in the plans for feuing land along the loch-side, and the sort of houses that was to be built upon each feu, the roads he would have to make, and especially in the grand wooden pier which, by Mr. Menteith’s advice, was shortly to be erected in lieu of the little quay of stones at the ferry, which had hitherto served as Cairnforth’s chief link with the outside world.

If Mr. Cardross and Helen grieved a little over this advancing tide of civilization, which might soon sweep away many things old and dear from the shores of beautiful Loch Beg, they grew reconciled when they saw the light in the earl’s eyes, and heard him talk with an interest and enthusiasm quite new to him of what he meant to do when he came of age.  Only in all his projects was one peculiarity rather uncommon in young heirs—­the entire absence of any schemes for personal pleasure.  Conforts he had, of course; his faithful friends and servants took care that his condition should have every alleviation that wealth could furnish; but of enjoyments, after the fashion of youth, he planned nothing; for, indeed, what of them was left him to enjoy?

And so, faster than was usual, being so well filled with occupations, the weeks and months slipped by, until the important thirtieth of June, when Mr. Menteith’s term of guardianship would end, and a man’s free life and independent duties, so far as he could perform them, would legally begin for the Earl of Cairnforth.

There had been great consultations on this topic all along the two lochs, and beyond them, for Dougal Mac Dougal had carried his story of the earl and his goodness to the extreme verge of the Cairnforth territory.  Throughout June the Manse was weekly haunted by tenants arriving from all quarters to consult the minister, the universal referee, as to how best they could celebrate the event, which, whenever it occurred, had for generations been kept gloriously in the little peninsula, though no case was known of any earl’s attaining his majority as being already Earl of Cairnforth.  The Montgomeries were usually a long-lived race, and their heirs rarely came to their titles till middle-aged fathers of families.