in utter ignorance of the fact that
Elizabeth was the provider of villa, gardens, servants, and most of the
other luxuries with which the Herons were well supplied. Percival, in
his outspoken dislike of the arrangement, would probably have
enlightened him if they had been on friendly terms; but Percival showed
so decided and unmistakable an aversion to the tutor, that he scarcely
spoke to him during his stay, and, indeed, made his visit a short one,
chiefly on account of Mr. Stretton's presence.

The change from Italy to Scotland was made at the doctor's suggestion.
The children's health flagged a little in the heat, and it was thought
better that they should try a more bracing air. When the matter was
decided, and Mr. Colquhoun had written to them that Strathleckie was
vacant, and would be a convenient house for Miss Murray's purposes in
all respects--then, and not till then, was Mr. Stretton informed of the
proposed change of residence, and asked whether he would accompany the
family to Scotland.

Brian hesitated. He knew well enough the exact locality of the house to
which they were going: he had visited it himself in other days. But it
was several miles from Netherglen: he would be allowed, he knew, to
absent himself from the drawing-room or the dinner-table whenever he
chose, he need not come in contact with the people whom he used to know.
Besides, he was changed beyond recognition. And probably the two women
at Netherglen led so retired a life that neither of them was likely to
be encountered--not even at church; for, although the tenants of
Netherglen and Strathleckie went to the same town for divine worship on
Sunday mornings, yet Mrs. Luttrell and Angela attended the Established
Church, while the Herons were certain to go to the Episcopal. And Hugo
was away. There was really small chance of his being seen or recognised.
He thought that he should be safe. And, while he still hesitated, he
looked up and saw that the eyes of Miss Murray were bent upon him with
so kindly an inquiry, so gracious a friendliness in their blue depths,
that his fears and doubts suddenly took wing, and he thought of nothing
but that he should still be with her.

He consented. And then, for the first time, it crossed his mind to
wonder whether she was a connection of the Murrays to whom his estate
had passed, and from whom he believed that Mr. Heron was renting the
Strathleckie house.

He had left England without ascertaining what me