ut it was the cowardly way in which you left me lying helpless
among bakers, and sweeps, and policemen, and dirty boys. Oh! it was
disgraceful."

Poor Barret became more and more overwhelmed as she went on.

"Spare me, madam," he cried, in desperation. "Oh; if you only knew what
I have suffered on your account since that unlucky day! Believe me, it
was not cowardice--well, I cannot say that exactly--but it was not the
fear of your just reproaches that made me fly. It was the approach of
the police, and the fear of being taken up, and a public trial, and the
disgrace of--of--and--then I felt ashamed before I had fled more than a
few hundred yards, and I returned to the spot, but you were gone, and I
had no means of--of--"

"That will do, young man. There is no need to keep me standing in this
wild place. You are living somewhere in this neighbourhood, I suppose?"

"Yes. I am living in the neighbourhood," said Barret bitterly.

"Well, I am going to stay at Kinlossie House. You know Kinlossie House,
I suppose?"

"Oh, yes, I know it."

"There is no occasion to look so fierce or bitter, young sir. I am
going to be at Kinlossie for some time. If you choose to call there, I
shall be ready to listen to your explanations and apologies, for I have
no desire to appear either harsh or unforgiving. Meanwhile, I wish you
good morning."

Saying which, and with a sweeping bow of a rather antiquated style, the
offended lady passed on.

For a considerable time Barret stood motionless, with folded arms,
"admiring the scenery" with a stony stare. A stone about the size of
his fist lay at his foot. He suddenly kicked that violently into space.
Had it been the size of his head, he would probably not have kicked it!
Then he gave vent to a wild laugh, became suddenly grave, thrust his
hands deep into his pockets, and walked up the road with clenched teeth
and a deadly stride.

Mrs Moss heard the laugh as it echoed among the great cliffs.

"What a dreadful young man!" she muttered, hurrying forward.

She thought of asking her driver who he was, but she had found Roderick
to be a very taciturn Highlander. He had not shown much disposition to
converse on the way up, and his speech had not been very intelligible to
her English--or Anglicised--ears. She re-entered the waggonette,
therefore, in silence. Roderick drove on also in silence, although much
surprised that the "young shentleman" had not returned with the "ledd