and he was smiling to himself with a
curious shiny look in his eyes, which at once arrested Pixie's
attention.

"How are you, Pixie? How are you, dear little girl?" he cried
gushingly.

Pixie remarked that she was in excellent health, privately not a little
taken aback by his fervour. "He seems mighty fond of me, all of a
sudden. Over at Bally William he didn't care half so much. I suppose
he missed me, after I'd gone!" She smiled at him encouragingly. "And
you are looking very well yourself. I'm pleased to see you!"

"I am very well, Pixie. Happiness agrees with me. I'm very happy--the
happiest man in the world! Do you know why? I am going to be married.
I came on purpose to tell you. Can you guess who `She' is?"

"How could I guess? I don't know your friends. There's no one at all
that it could be, unless, perhaps--"

Pixie stopped short suddenly, as certain memories darted into her mind.
The extraordinary manner in which Mr Hilliard was always appearing at
Knock Castle during the Christmas holidays; his interest in everything
Esmeralda did and said; the fixity of his gaze upon the beautiful face.
She gasped and blinked with surprise. "Not--_not_ Esmeralda?"

"Yes, yes, yes! Esmeralda, of course! Clever girl to guess so well!
It was settled only last Wednesday, and she sent me across to tell you
first thing, and ask your consent, as she couldn't be properly engaged
without it. You see this is an important matter for me, so you really
must be kind, for I can't give up Esmeralda, after waiting for her so
long. Will you have me for another brother, and let me do all I can to
make you happy?"

"I'm glad it isn't Bridgie," sighed Pixie irrelevantly; then, fearing
that she had failed in politeness, "But Esmeralda is nice too," she
added quickly. "She can't help having a temper, but she won't show it
to you, like she did to her brothers and sisters. And she _is_
beautiful! I've seen photographs of people they call beautiful here,
and they are frights compared with her. I suppose I can have her room
after she's married! It's got one of the turret windows, and I always
wanted it because of the view. I hope you will be happy, Mr Hilliard.
It was very kind of you to come and tell me. I'll write and ask
Esmeralda if I may be a bridesmaid."

Hilliard laughed, and muttered something about "sisterly candour." He
did not seem in the least alarmed at the thought of Esmeralda's temper,
and settled t