Macleod of Dare

e foot of the steep garden the still canal, its surface mirroring the soft translucent greens of the trees and bushes above, and the gaudier colors of a barge lying moored on the northern si

ster's lap, and her face turned up to the clear June skies. There are

played in," she says, "which on

is the gen

at

apa, and having no bother at

thirteen. "You couldn't live without the theatre, Gerty-and the n

with a smile, as she gently lay

is getting very old now; and he often talks about what may happen to us. And you know, Gerty, that though it is very nice for sisters to sa

dee

r acquaintances, and pick out a goodly choice of suitors. She might have encouraged her to give expression to her profound views of the

an actress to be left without a father or husband, or brother, as her ostensible guardian. People a

ou've got to get married. And to a rich man, too; who wi

e thought of this speech, was bound to re

u think people marry fro

d Carry; but she ha

om her on to a neighboring chair. "I should like to be able to refuse parts that did not suit me. I should like t

wish you to remain an ac

that people run after now-just when the very name of Mrs. Siddons, or Rachael, or any of the great actresses makes my heart jump-when I have ambition and a fair chance, and all that-do you think I am to give the whole thing up, and sink

eemed very clea

es to domestic life, even when they have plenty of money. Why should all the sacrifice be on the side of the

sister's neck, while with the other she stroke

n't!" said she, pettingly; "and it shall not be asked to go away

. "I wonder why you began talking such nonsen

haps I haven't studied your manoeuvres on the stage, Miss Gertrude White. Perhaps I never saw the newspapers declaring that it was all so very natural and life-like." S

have certain schoolgirls

French window an elderly woman of Flemish

lad, miss?" she said, with scar

e dressing first. Bring me a large plate, and the

a sudden fit of madness. She had caught up a light shawl, which she extended from hand to hand, as if she were dancing with some one, and then she proceeded to execute a slow waltz in this circumscribed

ve was born-and the Lowla

l of yourself!" said the

er imaginary

said she, sharply. "You know quite well

alad dressing before?" said

coming to lunch. I forgot all about it. Oh, and that

is precocious br

continued the tormenter; and then she added, triumpha

ing. She was considered very clever at it. Her father had taught her: but he never had the patience to carry out his own precepts. Bes

ant, very trimly dresse

acleod, miss

're caught!" mu

occasion. The small white finger

p this way, ple

on of this demon of thirteen

im that you are a good houseke

rough the small drawing-room. When he came out onto the balcony the languid air of the plac

-that reached me this morning," said he. "I want you to see one of our Highland salmon. He is a

ely plied her fork. "If there is any special virtue in a Highland salmon, it

at I scarcely ever am allowed to dine at my lodgings

ck to annoy her sister. She now came forward an

for that would look too much like bringing your tea in yo

ew-comer with an unmistakable "Who

Sir Keith," said Miss White. "

econd he put his hand on the light curls as her father

on the head, as if she were a child, an infant-and that in

the door. She called to the little maid-servant. She looked at a certain long bag made of matting which lay there, some

nda where Macleod was seated. He was charmed with the dreamy stillness and silence of the place, wi

lace like this up with us; it seems to me a sort of a toy place out of a picture-from Switzerland or some such country. Here you are in the open air, with your own little world arou

hat Carry had thrown at her. "But you know one is never satisfied anywhere. If I were to tell you the longing

lonely, and they make you think. But they are beautiful too, with a sort of splendid beauty and gr

t the same moment Mr. W

cheon is ready, my dear-lunche

e exceeding neatness and brightness of everything on the table and around it. The snow-white cover; the brilliant glass and spoons; the carefully arranged, if tiny, bouquets; and the precision with which the s

glancing at her father, who, as he addressed Macleod from time to time

r with you? Has anything

ory is going. But we will not trouble our guest about it. I think you were sayi

, papa?" his da

is helping shall have these lines on it, and be kept for himself. I know I have both the Spanish original and the English t

ine to

ongs l

*

ends in

as escaped me-dear, dear me

" said she; "I will get the li

he serenity of your mind while you are so engaged. You must give your heart and soul to it, Gerty; you must forget yourself; you must abandon yo

olute self-forgetfulness. You must give yourself to it in complete surrender. People may not know the difference; but the true artist seeks only to be true to himself. You produce the perfect flower; they are

e anxious about these cutlets than about her new part this morning. She was

ht to be no more Gertrude White than you or I. The artist loses himself. He transfers his soul to his creation. His heart beats in another breast; he sees with other eyes. You will excuse me, Sir Keith, but I keep insisting on this point to my daughter. If she ever becomes a great artist, that will be the secret of her success. And she ought never to cease from cultivating the habit. She ought to be ready at any m

one set apart for the high and inexorable sacrifice demanded by art. At the end of his lecture he abruptly asked Macleod if he had followed him. Yes, he had followed him, but in rather a

n artist is not to have any life of his or her own at all; that he

were to see some beautiful pale slave bound in these iron chains, and being exhibited for the amusement of an idle world, what would the fierce blood of the Macleods say to that debasement? He began to dislike this old man, with