e doing. And I told her, of course, about Rusper. I
think we owe her something. And I think too from what I saw of her that
she might make her way with your mother."

"It might succeed," said Chris doubtfully, "but it is surely difficult
for her to come--"

"I know--yes--with Ralph and her betrothal. But if we can ask her,
surely she can come. I can tell her how much we need her. I would send
Meg to Great Keynes, if I dared, but I dare not. It is not so safe there
as here; she had best keep quiet."

They talked about it a few minutes more, and Chris became more inclined
to it. From what he remembered of Beatrice and the impression that she
had made on him in those few fierce minutes in Ralph's house he began to
see that she would probably be able to hold her own; and if only
Margaret would take to her, the elder girl might be of great service in
establishing the younger. It was an odd and rather piquant idea, and
gradually took hold of his imagination. It was a very extreme step to
take, considering that she had broken off her betrothal to the eldest
son of the house; but against that was set the fact that she would not
meet him there; and that her presence would be really valued by at least
four-fifths of the household.

It was decided that Lady Torridon should be told immediately; and a day
or two later Sir James came to Chris in the garden to tell him that she
had consented.

"I do not understand it at all," said the old man, "but your mother
seemed very willing. I wonder--"

And then he stopped abruptly.

The letter was sent. Chris saw it and the strong appeal it contained
that Beatrice should come to the aid of a nun who was pining for want of
companionship. A day or two later brought down the answer that Mistress
Atherton would have great pleasure in coming a week before Christmas.

* * * * *

Margaret had a fit of shyness when the day came for her arrival. It was
a clear frosty afternoon, with a keen turquoise sky overhead, and she
wandered out in her habit down the slope to the moat, crossed the
bridge, glancing at the thin ice and the sedge that pierced it, and came
up into the private garden. She knew she could hear the sounds of wheels
from there, and had an instinctive shrinking from being at the house
when the stranger arrived.

The grass walks were crisp to the foot; the plants in the deep beds
rested in a rigid stillness with a black blossom or two drooping here