are and anxiety, which
had been heightened by the terrible events of the two previous days,
had passed from the elder lady's face, and had been succeeded by one of
contentment and happiness.

Norah showed an even greater change; she had now attained her full
height, her figure had filled out, and she stood on the threshold of
womanhood and bid fair to attain a high degree of beauty of the type
characteristic of her nationality. Her hair was dark, her eyes gray,
her expression changing rapidly from grave to gay, the latter movement
generally predominating.

"I need hardly ask, madam," Hector said as they entered the chateau,
"whether you have been comfortable here, for your face shows that you
have at least been contented with your lot as chatelaine."

"I have been more than contented, I have been very happy, Monsieur
Campbell. It has been a pleasant task indeed to be your almoner, and to
be able to carry comfort to those in distress, sympathy and aid to those
in suffering. Within the castle, nothing could be more pleasant than our
position. Captain MacIntosh has been unwearied in his efforts to make
us comfortable, and your steward has in all cases been willing to aid
me with money and counsel when I asked for them. The proof that your
goodness has been appreciated by the tenants is that every one of them
without exception has refused to join the insurgents, and has forsaken
his home in order to come up and aid in the defence of the castle."

"That is indeed gratifying, madam; but methinks their action is due
rather to the kindness of yourself and Mademoiselle Norah, than to the
gifts they receive."

"I do not choose to be called Mademoiselle Norah," the girl said,
tossing her head. "I am Irish on both sides, and have not a drop of
French blood in my veins. To strangers I am Miss Norah O'More; to you,
and to any I may love, I am plain Norah."

"I don't think that you can be that to anyone, Norah."

"Now I don't like that, Colonel Campbell. That may do at the court of
Louis XIV, but not at the chateau of la Villar, and if you are going to
pay compliments I shall be stiff and unpleasant, and shall insist upon
being addressed as Miss Norah O'More."

"As I did not mean to compliment you, for I spoke but the truth, I shall
not accept the penalty. Now," he went on, "unromantic as it may sound, I
own that I am hungry, and I am sure that my four followers are also,
for we have ridden far and fast, and have not stopped,