water-lilies. Then, when we
had bought a specially bound copy of "Marmion" (which ought to be read
at Linlithgow), and post cards and souvenirs that seemed important at
the moment and useless afterward, we took the road to Stirling.

There was no time to stop in Falkirk (when is there ever time to stop in
motoring?), for the car was running unusually well for Blunderbore. So
instead of pausing to meditate over battle scenes, as Vanneck pretended
he wished to do, we sailed through the long, straight street which seems
practically to constitute the town. Here we had almost our first glimpse
of industrial Scotland as opposed to picturesque Scotland, which was in
these August days becoming the playground of Britain and America.
Falkirk is a coalfield as well as a battlefield, and the murk of
collieries and iron works darkens the sky as once did the smoke of
gunpowder: but the place holds its old interest for the mind; and not
far off we came to the Wallace Monument; then to Bannockburn. Because of
Barrie's love for the Bruce, we got out and walked to the Bore Stone
where he stood to direct the battle so fatal to the English. After this
we were close to St. Ninian's, and to Stirling, though the day was still
young; but there was lots to see, and I wanted to go on before dusk, to
spend the night in Crieff. We lunched at one of those nice old-fashioned
hotels whose heraldic names alone are worth the money; and as we started
on foot to walk through the ancient town and mount to its high crown,
the Castle, I began to appreciate Aline's arrangements for my benefit.

Maud Vanneck being a model of wifely jealousy, kept Fred to herself, and
Barrie was my companion. This was delightful. No such good thing had
come to me since making her acquaintance. On the way up the quaint,
steep street, there came a shower of rain, and I had to shelter her with
my umbrella. It was an umbrella of blessedly mean proportions, which
meant that she must keep close to my side, and I said, "Come what may I
shall have this and a few other things to remember!"

Up in the Castle, we two decided that we had after all made a mistake in
calling Edinburgh Castle Scotland's heart. Here was that organ, and we
could almost feel it throbbing under our feet. We forgot that we had
selected several other hearts for Scotland. Here was the right one at
last!

What a view to look out upon, with the One Girl by your side! Over our
heads and far away, clouds turned the