ready to go to Cove, and bring it round here as fast as you
can. You see," he added to Barret, "the road is considerably longer
than the short cut by which you came, and we must have them all over
here without delay. Don't distress yourself about room. We have plenty
of accommodation. But come, I'll take you to your own room, and when
you have made yourself comfortable, we will talk over your future plans.
Just let me say, however, to prevent your mind running away on wrong
ideas, that in the circumstances we won't allow you to leave us for two
months. The post goes out to-morrow, so you can write to your father
and tell him so."

Thus running on in a rich hearty voice, the hospitable Allan Gordon
conducted Barret to a room in the southern wing of the rambling old
edifice, and left him there to meditate on his good fortune, and enjoy
the magnificent prospect of the island-studded firth, or fiord, from
which the mansion derived its name.

While the waggonette was away for the rest of the wrecked party, the
laird, finding that Milly's arm was not actually broken, though severely
bruised, sat down to lunch with restored equanimity, and afterwards
drove Barret in his dog-cart to various parts of his estate.

"Your friends cannot arrive for several hours, you see," he said on
starting, "and we don't dine till seven; so you could not be better
engaged than in making acquaintance with the localities of our beautiful
island. It may seem a little wild to you in its scenery, but there are
thousands of picturesque points, and what painters call `bits' about it,
as my sweet little Milly Moss will tell you when she recovers; for she
is an enthusiastic painter, and has made innumerable drawings, both in
water-colour and oils, since she came to stay here. I cannot tell you
how grateful I am to you, Mr Barret, for rescuing the poor girl from
her perilous position."

"I count myself fortunate indeed in having been led to the spot so
opportunely," said Barret; "and I sincerely hope that no evil effects
may result from her injuries. May I ask if she resides permanently with
you at Kinlossie?"

"I wish she did," said the laird, fervently; "for she is like a sunbeam
in the house. No, we have only got the loan of her, on very strict
conditions too, from her mother, who is a somewhat timid lady of an
anxious temperament. I've done my best to fulfil the conditions, but
they are not easy."

"Indeed! How is that?"

"Well, you