day of "guardianship," yet he was generous enough to invite me; and not
only that, but to let me sit in the car with Barrie and Mrs. James, on
the way to Arthur's Seat. After this effort, however, human nature had
its way, and he kept her to himself for the rest of the afternoon. It
was the first time he had done this since I fastened myself upon the
party. To-day, it was evidently by deliberate intention, not accident.
It was as if he said to himself, "These last hours shall be mine." And I
wondered if indeed he actually meant them to be last hours. For my part,
I certainly meant nothing of the sort. Mrs. Bal, or no Mrs. Bal, Aline
or no Aline, Book or no Book, I didn't intend to walk out of Barrie's
life without trying to win a foothold in it for the future.

If I had an opinion on such matters, I should have said, up to a week
ago, that I didn't approve of marriage for a girl under twenty, as she
couldn't possibly know her own mind; but Barrie is the kind of exception
to prove any rule. She ought to have a man to take care of her.

Before five we started back, for Mrs. James thought Barrie needed a nap.
It appeared that she hadn't slept the night before, owing to the
excitement of suspense; and now "her eyes must be bright for their first
look at her mother."

Drawn up at the pavement in front of the hotel as we slowed down was a
big blue car, and another smaller one close behind, both of the same
make, and evidently belonging to the same people. We had to choose
between waiting for them to disgorge passengers and unload luggage, or
get out at a distance from the entrance. We took the latter course, but
at the hotel door Barrie stopped us. She wore no veil; and though it was
to Somerled, not me, she spoke, I could see that her face was pale, her
eyes dilated.

"Do you think that can be my mother arriving?" she asked in a low voice.

He looked back at the lady who, at this instant, was springing from the
blue car to the pavement, her hand in that of a man who offered
unnecessary help. It was a tall figure in a long cloak the colour of a
duck's egg, and it gave the effect of willowy slimness despite the
disguising mantle. A close-fitting toque of greenish grayish blue
covered the small head, and the face was practically invisible behind a
thick veil of the same mystic colour; but as the lady turned her long
throat for a look at the other car, there was a glimpse of banded red
hair under the toque, and a curl or tw