sound, he will be sound too, and
do his king and country good service. You are both on the same side,
and not like the master of Lovat and his father."

"We have no estates to corrupt our minds," observed Annie. "We have
only our duty to care for."

"Ay, then, you are on the same side."

"Rollo is ready to march with the men of these islands. I am on no
side, sir. I do not understand the matter, and I have nothing to do
with it. There is no occasion for me to take any side."

"Why yes; as it happens, there is, Mrs Fleming: and that is one of the
things that brought me here to-day. Sir Alexander Macdonald desires
that you will oblige him by not burning your lamp in the night till the
troubles are over."

"I am sorry that there is anything in which I cannot oblige Sir
Alexander Macdonald: but I must burn my lamp."

"But hear: you do not know his reasons. There are some suspicious
vessels skulking about among these islands; and you ought to show them
no favour till they show what they are."

"You do not think, sir, you cannot surely think that anybody on this
island is in danger from the enemy. There is nothing to bring them
here,--no arms, nor wealth of any kind;--nothing that it would be worth
the trouble of coming to take."

"Oh no: you are all safe enough. No enemy would lose their time here.
But that is no reason why you should give them help and comfort with
your beacon-light."

"You mean, sir, that if a storm drives them hither, or they lose their
way, you would have them perish. Yes; that is what you mean, and that I
cannot do. I must burn my lamp."

"But my good friend, consider what you are doing. Consider the
responsibility if you should succour the king's enemies!"

"I did consider it well, sir, some years ago, and made up my mind. That
was when the pirates were on the coast."

"You don't mean that you would have lighted pirates to shore?"

"I could not refuse to save them from drowning: and He who set me my
duty blessed the deed."

"I remember hearing something of that. But if the pirates did no
mischief, your neighbours owe you nothing for that. You may thank the
poverty of the island."

"Perhaps so," said Annie, smiling. "And if so, I am sure we may thank
God for the poverty of the island which permits us to save men's lives,
instead of letting them drown. And now you see, sir--"

"I see you are as wilful on this point as I heard you were. I would not
believe it, becaus