little villa on the shores of
the Mediterranean, with orange groves behind it, and the beautiful blue
sea before? Should you like that, Kitty? You have only to say the word,
and you know that it will be yours."

"Then I won't say the word," said Kitty, turning away her head. "I like
Scotland better than the Mediterranean."

"Then let it be Scotland. What should you say to Netherglen?"

"I prefer Strathleckie," replied the girl, with her most provoking
smile.

"That is no answer. You must give me an answer some day," said Hugo,
whose voice was beginning to tremble. "You know what I mean: you
know----"

"Oh, what a lovely bit of bramble in the hedge!" cried Kitty, making
believe that she had not been listening. "Look, it has still a leaf or
two, and the stem is frosted all over and the veins traced in silver! Do
get it for me: I must take it home."

Hugo did her bidding rather unwillingly; but his sombre eyes were
lighted with a reluctant smile, or a sort of glow that did duty for a
smile, as she thanked him.

"It is beautiful: it is like a piece of fairies' embroidery; far more
beautiful than jewels would be. Oh, I wonder how people can make such a
fuss about jewels, when they are so much less beautiful than these
simple, natural things."

"These will soon melt away; jewels won't melt," said Hugo. "I should
like to see you with jewels on your neck and arms--you ought to be
covered with diamonds."

"That is not complimentary," laughed Kitty, "it sounds as if you thought
they would make me better-looking. Now, you should compliment a person
on what she is, and not on what she might be."

"I have got beyond the complimentary stage," said Hugo. "What is the use
of telling you that you are the most beautiful girl I ever met, or the
most charming, or anything of that kind? The only thing I know"--and he
lowered his voice almost to a whisper, and spoke with a fierce intensity
that made Kitty shrink away from him--"the only thing I know is that you
are the one woman in the world for me, and that I would sooner see you
dead at my feet than married to another man!"

Kitty had turned pale: how was she to reply? She cast her eyes up and
down the road in search of some suggestion. Oh, joy and relief! she saw
a figure in the distance. Perhaps it was somebody from Strathleckie;
they were not far from the lodge now. She spoke with renewed courage,
but she did not know exactly what she said.

"Who is this coming down the