ow than later on. I had my fears from
the beginning; did not I tell you that I was never sure of myself
for a day? and I am sure papa warned me. I cannot make you any
requital for the great generosity and forbearance you show to me
now; but I would like to be allowed to remain your friend.
G.W."

"P.S.--I am deeply grieved to hear of your being ill, but hope it
is only something quite temporary. You could not have decided
better than on taking a long sea-voyage. I hope you will have
fine weather."

All this was very pleasant. They had got into the region of
correspondence again; and Miss White was then mistress of the situation.
His answer to her was less cheerful in tone. It ran thus:

"DEAR GERTRUDE,--To-morrow morning I leave Dare. I have made up
your letters, etc., in a packet; but as I would like to see
Norman Ogilvie before going farther south, it is possible that we
may run into the Thames for a day; and so I have taken the packet
with me, and, if I see Ogilvie, I will give it to him to put into
your hands. And as this may be the last time that I shall ever
write to you, I may tell you now there is no one anywhere more
earnestly hopeful than I that you may live a long and happy life,
not troubled by any thinking of what is past and irrevocable.
Yours faithfully, KEITH MACLEOD."

So there was an end of correspondence. And now came this beautiful
morning, with a fine northwesterly breeze blowing, and the _Umpire_,
with her mainsail and jib set, and her gray pennon and ensign fluttering
in the wind, rocking gently down there at her moorings. It was an
auspicious morning; of itself it was enough to cheer up a heart-sick
man. The white sea-birds were calling; and Ulva was shining green; and
the Dutchman's Cap out there was of a pale purple-blue; while away in
the south there was a vague silver mist of heat lying all over the Ross
of Mull and Iona. And the proud lady of Castle Dare and Janet, and one
or two others more stealthily, were walking down to the pier to see
Keith Macleod set sail; but Donald was not there--there was no need for
Donald or his pipes on board the yacht. Donald was up at the house, and
looking at the people going down to the quay, and saying bitterly to
himself, "It is no more thought of the pipes, now, that Sir Keith has,
ever since the English