d was told that he was to be left
in quiet that night, unless his wife should be very anxious for him at
once. Mr. Harvey came down, bringing word that his patient was asking
urgently for Mrs. Keith.

"You had better let me go in first," said Alick, his face changed by the
firm but tender awe-struck look.

"Not if she is asking for me," said Rachel, moving on, her heart feeling
as if it would rend asunder, but her looks composed.

Bessie's face was in shade, but her voice had the old ring of coaxing
archness. "I thought you would stay to see the doctors off. They had
their revenge for our stealing a march on them, and have prowled about
me till I was quite faint; and now I don't feel a bit like sleep, though
I am so tired. Would Alick think me very wicked if I kept you a little
while? Don't I see Alick's shadow? Dear old fellow, are you come to wish
me good-night? That is good of you. I am not going to plague you any
more, Alick, I shall be so good now! But what?" as he held back the
curtain, and the light fell on his face, "Oh! there is nothing wrong
with the baby?"

"No, dear Bessie, not with the baby," said Alick, with strong emphasis.

"What, myself?" she said quickly, turning her eyes from one face to the
other.

Alick told her the state of the case. Hers was a resolute character, or
perhaps the double nature that had perplexed and chafed her brother was
so integral that nothing could put it off. She fully comprehended, but
as if she and herself were two separate persons. She asked how much time
might be left to her, and hearing the doctor's opinion, said, "Then I
think my poor old Lord Keith had better have his night's rest in
peace. But, oh! I should like to speak to Colin. Send for him, Alick;
telegraph, Alick; he is at the Paddington Hotel. Send directly."

She was only tranquillised by her brother beginning to write a
telegraphic message.

"Rachel," she said, presently, "Ermine must marry him now, and see to
Lord Keith, and the little one--tell her so, please," then with her
unfailing courtesy, "he will seem like your own child, dear Rachel, and
you should have him; but you'll have a wandering home with the dear
old Highlanders. Oh! I wonder if he will ever go into them, there must
always be a Keith there, and they say he is sure of the Victoria Cross,
though papa will not send up his name because of being his own son."
Then passing her hand over her face, she exclaimed--"Wasn't I talking
great nonse