rom morning till night but how to surround you with
kindness, in a way that Englishwomen would never think of. And this you
call persecution; and you are vexed with them because they won't talk to
you about theatres--why, bless my soul, how long it is since you were
yourself talking about theatres as if the very word choked you?"

"Well, at least, pappy, I never thought you would turn against me,"
said she, as she put her head partly aside, and made a mouth as if she
were about to cry; "and when mamma made you promise to look after Carry
and me, I am sure she never thought--"

Now this was too much for Mr. White. In the small eyes behind the big
gold spectacles there was a quick flash of fire.

"Don't be a fool, Gerty!" said he, in downright anger. "You know it is
no use your trying to humbug me. If you think the ways of this house are
too poor and mean for your grand notions of state--if you think he has
not enough money, and you are not likely to have fine dinners and
entertainments for your friends--if you are determined to break off the
match--why, then do it! but, I tell you, don't try to humbug me!"

Miss White's pathetic attitude suddenly vanished. She drew herself up
with much dignity and composure, and said,

"At all events, sir, I have been taught my duty to you; and I think it
better not to answer you."

With that she moved off toward the house; and Mr. White, taking to
whistling, began to do as she had been doing--idly throwing bits of moss
into the rushing burn. After all, it was none of his business.

But that evening, some little time before dinner, it was proposed they
should go for a stroll down to the shore; and then it was that Miss
White thought she would seize the occasion to let Macleod know of her
arrangements for the coming autumn and winter. Ordinarily, on such
excursions, she managed to walk with Janet Macleod--the old lady of
Castle Dare seldom joined them--leaving Macleod to follow with her
father; but this time she so managed it that Macleod and she left the
house together. Was he greatly overjoyed? There was a constrained and
anxious look on his face that had been there too much of late.

"I suppose Oscar is more at home here than in Bury Street, St. James's?"
said she, as the handsome collie went down the path before them.

"No doubt," said he, absently: he was not thinking of any collie.

"What beautiful weather we are having," said she, to this silent
companion. "It is always c