bra'e lad, and my heart wairmed to him for the way he saved
the child; and he puts me in mind, too, of ane Alexander McCray twenty
year agane, whose heart was sair as this laddie's is, I ken. But it all
came reet for mine, Jenny. Will it come reet for the Nortons' boy?"

The housekeeper shook her head.

"What's to be done, lassie?"

"Nothing," said Jane his wife, quietly, but with a sad look; "these
things are beyond us, McCray, and must take their course."

"I'll put a stop to it, that I will!" muttered Lord Maudlaine, as he
strode off across the lawn, and disappeared from McCray's sight. "Only
let me see him hanging after her again!"

If his lordship's wish to see Brace Norton with Isa Gernon again were
genuine, his gratification was quick in coming; for, at the end of half
an hour's sharp walk, he caught sight of Isa and Brace almost at the
same moment--just; in fact, as the latter hurried up, so as to reach the
young girl before his favoured rival.

"Shall I horsewhip him before her, or shall I wait till he comes away?"
muttered his lordship. "He didn't take any notice of what I said last
time, though I half thought that I should have heard from him."

His lordship stood irresolute for a few moments, but the way in which
Brace was received forced him into action, and he strode past the groom,
who stood at a respectful distance, and up to the pair.

"Look here, you!" he exclaimed to Brace, coarsely. "This sort of thing
won't do! You've been told that you're not to follow Miss Gernon about.
Do you hear?"

"Isa," said Brace, in a whisper to the trembling girl, "will you ride
on?"

"No," she answered, in the same tone, as she bent down towards him.
"Please--my first request--for my sake, Mr Norton, do not let there be
any quarrel."

"I will do my best to avoid it," said Brace, with a quiet, re-assuring
smile; when, apparently enraged by the understanding which appeared to
exist, but really nerved thereto by the words let fall that morning by
Sir Murray, Lord Maudlaine strode fiercely in front of Brace, who,
however, stood coolly and unflinchingly before him.

"Look here!" exclaimed his lordship. "Once more I say this sort of
thing won't do! Are you listening to what I say?"

"Yes," said Brace, quietly. "I am listening."

"Then, look here: you've been warned times enough, and I shall put up
with no more of it! Now go; and I warn you that if ever again you dare
to speak to Miss Gernon, or to int