s who perhaps had slept too late, and were hurriedly
making the room tidy. The sun was beating in at the window, and Merton
noticed some tiny glittering points of white metallic light on the carpet
near the new telegraphic apparatus. 'I don't believe these lazy Highland
Maries have swept the room properly since the electric machine was put
up,' Merton thought. He hastily seized, and took to his chamber, his
book on old Irish literature, which was too clearly part of Blake's
Celtic inspiration. Merton wanted no more quatrains, but he did mean to
try to be civil. He then joined the party at breakfast; he admitted that
he had slept ill, but, when asked by Blake, disclaimed having seen
Eachain of the Hairy Arm, and did not bore or bewilder the company with
his dreams.

Miss Macrae, in sabbatical raiment, was fresher than a rose and gay as a
lark. Merton tried not to look at her; he failed in this endeavour.

II. Lost

The day was Sunday, and Merton, who had a holy horror of news, rejoiced
to think that the telegraphic machine would probably not tinkle its bell
for twenty-four hours. This was not the ideal of the millionaire. Things
happen, intelligence arrives from the limits of our vast and desirable
empire, even on the Day of Rest. But the electric bell was silent. Mr.
Macrae, from patriotic motives, employed a Highland engineer and
mechanician, so there was nothing to be got out of him in the way of work
on the sabbath day. The millionaire himself did not quite understand how
to work the thing. He went to the smoking-room where it dwelt and looked
wistfully at it, but was afraid to try to call up his correspondents in
London. As for the usual manipulator, Donald McDonald, he had started
early for the distant Free Kirk. An 'Unionist' minister intended to try
to preach himself in, and the majority of the congregation, being of the
old Free Kirk rock, and averse to union with the United Presbyterians,
intended to try to keep him out. They 'had a lad with the gift who would
do the preaching fine,' and as there was no police-station within forty
miles it seemed fairly long odds on the Free Kirk recalcitrants. However,
there was a resolute minority of crofters on the side of the minister,
and every chance of an ecclesiastical battle royal. Accompanied by the
stalker, two keepers, and all the gardeners, armed with staves, the
engineer had early set out for the scene of brotherly amity, and Mr.
Macrae h