Max was half leaning out of the open window, gazing at the sea sparkling
with light, so that it was hard to tell where the stars ended and the
reflections began.

Max was thinking. He had had his regular letters from his father, one
of which was in answer to an apologetic epistle on his stopping so long,
and hoping that he might be allowed to stay till Kenneth was quite
recovered.

Mr Blande's letter, from the old Inn of Court, told his son that he was
not to think of returning, but to make himself at home at Dunroe, and do
everything he could to become acquainted with the place and people, at
the same time learning all he could about the fishing and shooting.

"Make yourself a country gentleman as fast as you can, and even if the
Mackhais are a little stiff and distant with you, do not resent it or
take any notice of the slight, but stay."

"That would be very unpleasant if they did behave slightingly," said Max
to himself. "Oh, he's awake now."

He left the window and went back to Kenneth's bedside, but it was only
to find that he had merely moved restlessly, and was still fast asleep.

Max did not go back, but stood there patiently watching the sleeping
lad, till a faint sound made him start, and he stared at the window,
feeling half paralysed, for dimly seen against the darkness there as a
head visible. Then there was more rustling, and the chest appeared; a
couple of arms were passed in, and their owner began to draw himself up.

Burglars! an attack upon the place! What could it mean?

The intruder's face caught the light from the lamp, as he threw one leg
over the window-sill, and sat there, as if hesitating about coming
farther.

"Scoodrach!" cried Max. "How did you get up there?"

"She climbed up."

"But how dangerous! What made you do that?"

"She wanted to see ta young Chief, and they wadna let her come."

"How foolish of you! you might have slipped and fallen."

"They let you see her, and they tell her she shall na come. She will
see ta young Mackhai."

He said this menacingly, as if Max were one of those who kept him away.

"But he is very ill."

"Scoodrach tid not make her ill."

"No, of course not; but go now, there's a good fellow. You'll see him
as soon as he's better."

"She wants to see her the noo," growled the lad sullenly; "and she tries
to keep her away."

"Nothing of the kind! Why, I tell you every morning how he is."

"Yes, but she wants to see hersel'. She's