connection with the estate, and
so on. I am a poor man. By my father's will nearly everything was left to
him and to Isabel. I was something of an offence to him, being the cause
of my mother's death and misshapen into the bargain."
"What a wicked shame!" broke from Dinah.
"No, no! Some people are like that. They are made so. I don't feel in the
least bitter about it. He left me enough to live upon, though as a matter
of fact neither he nor anyone else expected me to grow up at the time
that will was made. It was solely due to Biddy's devotion, I believe,
that I managed to do so." He uttered his quiet laugh. "I am talking
rather much about myself. It's kind of you not to be bored."
"Bored!" echoed Dinah, with shining eyes. "I think you are simply
wonderful. I hope--I hope Sir Eustace realizes it."
"I hope he does," agreed Scott with a twinkle. "He has ample
opportunities for doing so. Ah, there he is! He is actually skating
alone. What has become of the beautiful Miss de Vigne, I wonder."
They walked on, nearing the rink. "I'm not going to be horrid about her
any more," said Dinah suddenly. "You must have thought me a perfect
little cat. And so I was!"
"Oh, please!" protested Scott. "I didn't!"
She laughed. "That just shows how kind you are. It doesn't make me feel
the least bit better. I was a cat. There! Oh, your brother is calling
you. I think I'll go."
She blushed very deeply and quickened her steps. Sir Eustace had come to
the edge of the rink.
"Stumpy!" he called. "Stumpy!"
"How dare he call you that?" said Dinah. "I can't think how you can put
up with it."
Scott raised his shoulders slightly, philosophically. "Doesn't the cap
fit?" he said.
"Not a bit," Dinah declared with emphasis. "I have another name for you
that suits you far better."
"Oh! What is that?" he looked at her with smiling curiosity.
Dinah's blush deepened from carmine to crimson. "I call you--Mr.
Greatheart," she said, her voice very low. "Because you help everybody."
A gleam of surprise crossed his face. He flushed also; but she saw that
though embarrassed, he was not displeased.
He put a hand to his cap. "Thank you, Miss Bathurst," he said simply, and
turned without further words to answer his brother's summons.
Dinah walked quickly on. That stroll with Scott had quite lifted her out
of her depression.
CHAPTER IX
THE RUNAWAY COLT
"It really is very tiresome," complained Lady Grace. "I knew th
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