of
vessels with strangers, he would probably imprison her, or carry her
away to some yet wilder and more remote speck in the ocean. Rollo saw
something of her reasons, and said patronisingly, "Why, you talk like an
island woman now. You might almost have lived here, by the way you
understand things."

Yet better did he apprehend her promises of vast rewards, if he would do
exactly as she wished. There was an air about her which enabled him to
fancy her some queen or other powerful personage; and as it happened to
suit him to keep the secret till the last moment, he promised, for
himself and his comrade, to be discreet, and obey orders.

This settled, the lady turned homewards, with a basket full of eggs, and
fish, and young birds, and news for the widow that her son was safe, and
not far off, and about to come home to try his hand at building a house.

CHAPTER EIGHT.

THE WAITING OF THE WISE.

The house proceeded well. Macdonald had no express orders about it; but
he had express orders to keep Lady Carse on the island, and, if
possible, in a quiet and orderly state of manners. When he saw how
completely engrossed she was in the building of this dwelling, and what
a close friendship she appeared to have formed with Annie Fleming, he
believed that she was a woman of a giddy mind and strong self-will, who
might be managed by humouring. If he could assist her in providing
herself with a succession of new objects, he hoped that she might be
kept from mischief and misery, as a child is by a change of toys. He
would try this method, and trust to his chief's repaying him any
expenses incurred for the strange lady's sake. So he granted the use of
his ponies and his people,--now a man or two,--and now their wives, to
bring stones and earth and turf, and to twist heather bands. Once or
twice he came himself, and lent a strong hand to raise a corner-stone,
and help to lay the hearthstone. The house consisted of two rooms,
divided by a passage. If Lady Carse had chosen to admit the idea of
remaining after the arrival of the Ruthvens, she would have added a
third room; but she had resolved that she would leave the island in the
vessel which brought them, or in the next that their arrival would
bring: and she would not dwell for an instant on any doubt of
accomplishing her purpose.

So the thick walls rose, and the low roof was on, and the thatch well
bound down, and secured moreover with heavy stones, before the