appearing into dark, open doorways of rock castles, or falling
on the green floor of the glen, to weep on the dim, faded purple of
the sparse heather. The river into which the weeping cataracts shed
their tears was black at first; but suddenly, though the rain did
not stop, the sun tore a hole through a cloud, and shot a huge
rainbow into the rushing water. It split into a thousand fragments,
still gleaming under the clear brown flood: and I thought it was as
if the MacDonald women, in trying to escape from the massacre, had
dropped their poor treasures--their cairngorms and garnets and
amethysts--and there the jewels had lain ever since under the
water, because no one dared fish them out. But also I thought the
key of the rainbow itself might be lying there; and that made me
happy again in spite of the sadness of the place: for Mr. Somerled
and I used to talk when we first knew each other about finding the
key of the rainbow together: and I saw by the way he looked that he
hadn't forgotten. It is a compliment when a man like that remembers
anything a girl says, don't you think?

Now, dear Barbara, I must send off this letter at once, though I
am going to telegraph at the same time, to ask if I may accept Mr.
Somerled's invitation. I tell you frankly I don't know how I shall
_bear_ it if you say no. But you won't. You are too kind and sweet,
and you do want me to be happy and find the key of the rainbow,
don't you?

Your BARRIE,
Who can hardly wait.

II

When Mrs. Ballantree MacDonald received the telegram, which reached her
the day before Barrie's letter, she showed it at once to Aline West. It
read:

"Please forgive me for not saying 'Yes' as you wish to B. N. But I
need give no more trouble for a long time, though. Mr. and Mrs.
Vanneck leaving to-morrow. Mr. Somerled has arrived here with my
cousins the MacDonalds from London and I am invited to make visit
Dunelin Castle at Dhrum. Do please let me go, unless you can have
me. They will bring me back first to see you unless that
inconvenient. Have just posted you long letter, but hope you will
wire answer to this.

"BARRIE."

"How simply fatal!" Barbara remarked, so calmly that Aline could have
boxed her ears. But, after all, it was she who cared, not Mrs. Bal. So
long as Barrie was reasona