heard it
frequently. "What is your friend's surname?" he asked; "I did not hear
it."

"She is the daughter of Colonel and Mrs Armytage, who are at present in
Calcutta. He is on the staff--a somewhat haughty, proud man, and not a
favourite of mine, but she is a gentle, amiable woman; only yields too
much to him, I think."

"How strange!" repeated Ronald aloud.

"Do you know them, Mr Morton?" she asked.

"If Mrs Armytage is the daughter of Sir Marcus Wardhill, of Lunnasting
Castle, in Shetland, I know of them, though I have not seen her since I
was a child. I was born on the estate, and brought up by her elder
sister, who had lost her own child. Her story is a very romantic and
sad one. You probably have heard of it."

"Something, but I do not recollect all the particulars; Edda herself
knows but little. The families keep up no communication, I fancy."

"But slight," said Morton, not liking to enter too minutely into
particulars, and yet deeply interested. "I have news from Shetland
occasionally, but I have not been there since I was a boy."

"Shall I tell Miss Armytage that you know her family?" asked Mrs
Edmonstone, with some hesitation.

Ronald considered a moment. "I will beg you not to do so," he answered.
"There can be no object gained. She knows nothing of my family, and
probably takes but little interest in Shetland itself, while I have
reason to know that her father has not for many years been on good terms
with Sir Marcus Wardhill."

"Probably you are right; I will do as you wish," said the lady, and she
kept her word.

Supper was over, and the guests began to take their departure. Morton
and Glover saw Mrs Edmonstone and Miss Armytage to their carriage, and
were going back to wait for the rest of their shipmates, when a young
man in military uniform stepped up to the former, and, politely bowing,
said that he had been deputed by his friend, Lieutenant Maguire, to
demand the only reparation which one gentleman could afford another, for
an insult he had that evening received.

"Assuredly, sir, you mistake my identity," answered Morton, calmly. "I
am not acquainted with Lieutenant Maguire, nor have I insulted,
intentionally or otherwise, any human being."

"Some people entertain very different notions to others as to what is an
insult," said the officer, with a sneer, intended to excite Morton's
anger. "My friend Maguire is exceedingly sensitive as to his honour.
Not to lose time, sir,