he said. 'Your mother won't mind your wearing a
present from the Duke of Ardshiel. Take them and wear them while you
are here. They were chosen by Holly, who has the best taste in the
whole country round.'

Leucha forced herself to admire the rich, quiet clothing which the Duke
and Hollyhock had chosen for her, and wonderful was the change for the
better in her appearance. She had her own maid, too, while at the
Castle, who managed to make the most of her scanty locks.

On the whole Leucha was not quite unhappy while at this noble mansion,
but neither was she quite happy. The Duke had a piercing eye, and when
it flashed on her she seemed to shrink into herself.

Young Cameron, the next heir but one to the dukedom, endeavoured to be
polite to her, but found the task too much for him; whereas Hollyhock's
gay black eyes and more than merry peals of delight charmed the young
man's heart.

Before long Hollyhock was strong enough to go out of doors; and then,
in a very few days, to her exquisite delight, she was permitted to ride
once again on Lightning Speed. Oh, the joy of mounting her beloved
horse! Oh, the joy of the meeting between that horse and his mistress!

The Duke was, as he expressed it, in high feather. The young
Lennoxes--that is, the rest of them--and the young Constables were all
invited to spend many days at the Castle, until at last the Christmas
holidays passed by, and Leucha went back to school; and the Duke, the
Duke's nephew, that nephew's son, and dear, gentle Jasmine, as well as
Hollyhock, all went off on an expedition to the Riviera. There, at the
favoured spot called Beaulieu, the Duke had a villa--a most magnificent
place. Never, never had Hollyhock even dreamed of such splendour, such
sunshine, such joy.

The two men walked about a good deal together. Young Cameron
accompanied Jasmine and Hollyhock wherever they went; but there was an
unmistakable look in his eyes when he glanced at Hollyhock--Hollyhock,
the maid so brave, so beautiful. The Duke read that secret in his eyes
and chuckled inwardly to himself; but Hollyhock was far too young to
notice it, and the wise old Duke kept his secret to himself. 'Time
enough,' he muttered; 'time in plenty; let them remain children yet for
many a long day. Oh, but my old heart feels young again when I look at
her. No wonder the rascal feels as he does, but time--_the_ time has
not come yet--"My love she's but a lassie yet." Why, here she