"Did I not tell you that? She is going
to leave the stage--perhaps sooner or later, but certainly by that
time; and when she comes to the Highlands next year with her father, she
will be travelling just like any one else. And I hope, mother, you won't
let them think that we Highlanders are less hospitable than the people
of London."

He made the suggestion in an apparently careless fashion, but there was
a painfully anxious look in his eyes. Janet noticed that.

"It would be strange if they were to come to so unfrequented a place as
the west of Mull," said Lady Macleod, somewhat coldly, as she put the
photographs aside.

"But I have told them all about the place, and what they will see, and
they are eagerly looking forward to it; and you surely would not have
them put up at the inn at Bunessan, mother?"

"Really, Keith, I think you have been imprudent. It was little matter
our receiving a bachelor friend like Norman Ogilvie, but I don't think
we are quite in a condition to entertain strangers at Dare."

"No one objected to me as a stranger when I went to London," said he,
proudly.

"If they are anywhere in the neighborhood," said Lady Macleod, "I should
be pleased to show them all the attention in my power, as you say they
were friendly with you in London; but really, Keith, I don't think you
can ask me to invite two strangers to Dare--"

"Then it is to the inn at Bunessan they must go?" he asked.

"Now, auntie," said Janet Macleod, with a gentle voice, "you are not
going to put poor Keith into a fix; I know you won't do that. I see the
whole thing; it is all because Keith was so thorough a Highlander. They
were talking about Scotland: and no doubt he said there was nothing in
the country to be compared with our islands, and caves, and cliffs. And
then they spoke of coming, and of course he threw open the doors of the
house to them. He would not have been a Highlander if he had done
anything else, auntie; and I know you won't be the one to make him break
off an invitation. And if we cannot give them grand entertainments at
Dare, we can give them a Highland welcome, anyway."

This appeal to the Highland pride of the mother was not to be withstood.

"Very well, Keith," said she. "We shall do what we can for your friends,
though it isn't much in this old place."

"She will not look at it that way," he said, eagerly, "I know that. She
will be proud to meet you, mother, and to shake hands with you, and to
go abo