"I want to be in a less dangerously
excited atmosphere, where I can sit down and consider matters calmly. It
was much better when he and I corresponded, then we could fairly learn
what each other thought. Now I am almost afraid of him--I mean, I am
afraid to ask him a question. I have to keep out of his way. And if it
comes to that, pappy, you know, I feel now as if I was called on to act
a part from morning till night, whereas I was always assured that if I
left the stage and married him it was to be my natural self, and I
should have no more need to pose and sham. However, that is an old
quarrel between you and me, pappy, and we will put it aside. What's more
to the purpose is this--it was half understood that when we left Castle
Dare he was to come with us through at least a part of the Highlands."

"There was a talk of it."

"Don't you think," said Miss White, with some little hesitation, and
with her eyes cast down--"don't you think that would be a little
inconvenient?"

"I should say that was for you to decide," he answered, somewhat coldly;
for it was too bad that she should be continually asking his advice and
then openly disregarding it.

"I should think it would be a little uncomfortable," she said, demurely.
"I fancy he has taken that engagement till Christmas a little more to
heart than he chooses to reveal--that is natural--I knew it would be a
disappointment; but then, you know, pappy, the temptation was very
great, and I had almost promised the Lemuels to do what I could for the
piece. And if I am to give up the stage, wouldn't it be fine to wind up
with a blaze of fireworks to astonish the public?"

"Are you so certain you will astonish the public?" her father said.

"I have the courage to try," she answered, readily. "And you are not
going to throw cold water on my endeavors, are you, pappy? Well, as I
was saying, it is perhaps natural for Sir Keith Macleod to feel a bit
annoyed; and I am afraid if he went travelling with us, we should be
continually skating on the edge of a quarrel. Besides, to tell you the
truth, pappy--with all his kindness and gentleness, there is sometimes
about him a sort of intensity that I scarcely like--it makes me afraid
of him. If it were on the stage, I should say it was a splendid piece of
acting--of the suppressed vehement kind, you know; but really--during a
holiday-time, when one naturally wishes to enjoy the fine weather and
gather strength for one's work--well,