you? Of course not," said Barbara. "But what more can I do? I've
written and wired Barrie. We both arranged, first for the Vannecks to
stay longer, and then for them to go suddenly--or at least to say they
were going. We've done so _many_ things, I'm quite confused. And I
should have _loved_ Barrie to fall in love with your brother, who's
perfectly charming and so _sensible_ about everything. But you see, I
can't force the girl. And Somerled's on the spot. What do you _want_ me
to do that I haven't done?"

"I don't want you to do anything," Aline answered, struggling to keep
her head, "except to stand by me--and Basil. I do care for Ian. I've
confessed everything to you, and your not being certain about Mr.
Bennett made you so sweet and sympathetic, it was really a comfort. But
I've got my brother as well as myself to fight for. One never can be
sure what he'll do for himself, he's so modest, and always lets other
men get ahead. If you'll stick to us, I'll start off by the first train.
I fancy I'll have to go to Oban or somewhere, and hire a motor. Basil
has written about ferries there are to cross. It will be terrible,
alone. But if you'll stick to me----"

"Stick to you?" repeated Barbara, hoping that Aline did not mean to put
her to too much trouble. She was a little--just a little--tired of dear
Aline. It had been useful and pleasant to have her, during this time of
uncertainty concerning Morgan Bennett: a nice woman to go about with;
pretty, but not too pretty; young, yet not too young; celebrated, yet
not as celebrated or popular as herself; but now it was all settled
about Morgan; and Aline had been a tiny bit plaintive, which was boring.
Also it was boring to see how stodgily George Vanneck was in love with
Mrs. West, without shadow of turning, although Barbara had tried her
hand, just for fun, at tempting him to turn. Even a worm would; but
George Vanneck wouldn't, which made him seem so slow! And Mrs. West was
a woman with only two smiles, and no real sense of humour.

"All I mean is," Aline explained, uneasily feeling that she had lost her
power, "will you send me as your representative to Barrie? I _can't_ let
Ian think I have come because of him. But you are acting, and can't
possibly get away, so--as we're friends now, it would seem only natural
for me to go in your place."

"What will you do when you get to Ballachulish?"

"I'll give Barrie several reasons for marrying my brother, and if you'll
let m