White Wings, Volume III

emy. But next morning, as we were getting under weigh, he got a chance of speaking to his hostess alo

just left us? Did I not offer to make ye a wager, though I am but little of a gambler? A gold ring, a sixpence, and a silver thimble:

s gay humour. She answers

pect anything, for she never took me into her confidence; and I do n

ent?-is there any harm in one keeping one's eyes open? And did not I tell ye

harply, and looking up wi

ed up in his own thoughts that

nse as she spoke yesterday, about that very Doctor? There is no affected sentiment-there is nothing of your C

" says his ho

ollowed by the attentive Youth. And while everybody on board was eagerly noticing things ahead-the seals on the rocks at the mouth of the loch, the wind

stepped ov

, even the busiest and the wisest of men must have their holiday at times; and I have just been thinking that, if we can get Dr. Sutherland to come with us next year, we will, maybe, surprise him by what ye can do wi' a s

s. She says, in her gentle way, b

possible. Angus will not be in S

rently she is still gazing back

le: there is no compulsion that he must remain in Eetaly. I think I would even lay a wager that we will have just th

t all events. And as for Angus Sutherland, I shall b

Laird went a step nearer her, and

do to show these people their lolly and wi

e deck, put a trembling hand on the companion way, and went below. Just as she disappeared, she could not quite conceal her face; and there

manner that he was seriously troubled. He had directed a quick, sharp glance of surprise and inquiry at his hostess; but just then she was stepping aside t

heavy sea running, while the wind began to freshen up a bit. There was a squally look about the sea and sky; it was considered prudent to lower the topsail. Now

and she addressed herself particularly to the Laird. "And it is bett

siderably dishevelled. The Youth came to her assistance; put a cushion and a shawl for her just beside her hostess, unde

o that you might be perfectly indifferent?" And here she cries "Oh!" again, because a drop or two o

like a spoiled child; she makes fun of the Youth's attempts to steer. And the Laird is regarding her

You were going to tell us the story

o rise to the bait? The watchfulness disappeared from the face of th

Did not I tell ye of his rolling an enormous stone up a hill, and of the stone being split into nine pieces; yet not any one man could roll up one of the nine pieces? But I was going to tell ye of his being in Prince's Street, Edinburgh; and a coach and

or a moment. He wiped the salt water from the side of his neck,

verence. 'M'Kinlay,' says he, 'he will turn to the street, and he will grab at the fo

the coarse applause to us. Only there was an odd light in his eyes; and we knew that it was all he could do to prevent his bursti

encroach on the Laird's province-"whom Captain John told me about, who could dr

ird was no

treme delight. "Excellent-a real good on

Jura, in the teeth of a fresh northerly breeze. However, nothing could exceed the devotion of the Youth, who got scarcely any luncheon at all in his efforts to control the antics of pick

t it is like a ship without a helm: he is sure to go and do something redeeclous that a smaller man would have avoided altogether. Ay, m

hand, as if to deprecat

it joke comes in verra well when ye are dealing with solem

ld not find vent in words. He put up both hands, palm

ill that time we had but two policemen on duty at the same time during the night. It was my opeenion that that number was quite inahdequate; and I stated my opeenion at a meeting of the commissioners convened for that purpose. Well, would ye believe it, this meddlesome body, Johnny Guthrie, got up on his legs and preached and

aid not, si

e went on and on, and it was all about the one point, until I got up and, 'Mr. Provost,' says I, 'there are some human beings it would be idle to a

and laughed again at John

ven more rideeklous than Providence could fairly and honestly have intended. He attacked me most bitterly because I got a committee appointed to represent to the Post

ays his hostess, wit

ore; and we have a mail made up at 10 P.M., which is a great convenience. And that man Johnny Guthrie gabbling away as if the French Revolution were coming back on us! I am a Conservative myself, as ye know, ma'am; but I say that we must march with the times. No standing still in these days. Howev

one; laughed at the "good ones;" was ready to pour her contempt on the Johnny Guthries who opposed the projects of the Laird's statesmanship. And in this manner we fought our way against the stiff northe

nd what not. The Laird and Mary Avon were playing chess together. The glow of the sunset was still in the western

absorbed was he with his knights and bishops that he did not notice that, in the absolute silence

ore! And Loch

eturn to Loch

in: Hector of Moidart was probabl

e farther edge from him; and he quickly looked up. The girl was crying. Instantly he put out h

ssie, what i

her handkerchief, and passed it a

: I-I was thinking of something else.

s were cast down. He did not pay so