teach it something: he would not have it thrown in
his teeth that, after all, he looks to the main chance as keenly as
another! He would starve before he would have men say so--yes, even say
so falsely. I am as sure he did not marry lady Arctura for her money,
as I am sure lord Forgue, or you, Hector, would have done it if you had
had a chance.--There!--My conviction is that the bumpkin sought a fit
opening to tell you that the will was to go for nothing, and that no
word need be said about the marriage. You know he made you promise not
to mention it--only I wormed it out of you!"

"That's just like you women! The man you take a fancy to is always head
and shoulders above other men!"

"As you take it so, I will tell you more: that man will never marry
again!"

"Wait a bit. Admiration is sometimes mutual: who knows but he may ask
you next!"

"If he did ask me, I might take him, but I should never think so much
of him!"

"Heroic Kate!"

"If you had been a little more heroic, Hector, you would have responded
to him--and found it considerably to your advantage."

"You don't imagine I would be indebted--"

"Hush! Hush! Don't pledge yourself in a hurry--even to me!" said Kate.
"Leave as wide a sea-margin about your boat as you may. You don't know
what you would or would not. Mr. Grant knows, but you do not."

"Mr. Grant again!--Well!"

"Well!--we shall see!"

And they soon did. For that same evening Donal called, and asked to see
Miss Graeme.

"I am sorry my brother is gone down to the town," she said.

"It was you I wanted to see," he answered. "I wish to speak openly to
you, for I imagine you will understand me better than your brother.
Perhaps I ought rather to say--I shall be better able to explain myself
to you."

There was that in his countenance which seemed to seize and hold her--a
calm exaltation, as of a man who had outlived weakness and was facing
the eternal. The spirit of a smile hovered about his mouth and eyes,
embodying itself now and then in a grave, sweet, satisfied smile: the
man seemed full of content, not with himself, but with something he
would gladly share.

"I have been talking with your brother," he said, after a brief pause.

"I know," she answered. "I am afraid he did not meet you as he ought.
He is a good and honourable man; but like most men he needs a moment to
pull himself together. Few men, Mr. Grant, when suddenly called upon,
answer from the best that is in them."

"T