th; and garmented in green
Even as in days of yore thou stand'st to-day.
Ah God! and but for lingering dull dismay,
On all that road our footsteps erst had been
Even thus commingled, and our shadows seen
Blent on the hedgerows and the water way."

Margaret intended leaving Saturday, but on Thursday night something
happened, the most unlooked-for thing that could have happened to
her--she received Jan's letter. As she was standing beside her packed
trunk, she heard Elga call:

"Here has come Sandy Bane with a letter, Mistress Vedder, and he will
give it to none but thee."

It is not always that we have presentiments. That strange intelligence,
that wraith of coming events, does not speak, except a prescient soul
listens. Margaret attached no importance to the call. Dr. Balloch
often sent letters, she supposed Sandy was waiting for a penny fee.
With her usual neatness, she put away some trifles, locked her
drawers, and then washed her hands and face. Sandy was in no hurry
either; Elga had given him a cup of tea, and a toasted barley-cake,
and he was telling her bits of gossip about the boats and fishers.

While they were talking, Margaret entered; she gave Sandy a penny, and
then with that vague curiosity which is stirred by the sight of almost
any letter, she stretched out her hand for the one he had brought. The
moment she saw it, she understood that something wonderful had come to
her. Quick as thought she took in the significance of the official
blue paper and the scarlet seal. In those days, officers in the
Admiralty used imposing stationery, and Jan had felt a certain pride
in giving his few earnest words the sanction of his honor and office.
Certainly it had a great effect upon Margaret, although only those
very familiar with her, could have detected the storm of anxiety and
love concealed beneath her calm face and her few common words.

But oh, when she stood alone with Jan's loving letter in her hand,
then all barriers were swept away. The abandon of her slow, strong
nature, had in it an intensity impossible to quicker and shallower
affection. There was an hour in which she forgot her mortality, when
her soul leaned and hearkened after Jan's soul, till it seemed not
only possible, but positive, that he had heard her passionate cry of
love and sorrow, and answered it. In that moment of intense silence
which succeeds intense feeling, she was sure Jan called her.
"_Margaret!_" She heard th