tion I am worrying and when I come into my father's
place I will be able to put all things right for you, and make you
really happy."

"But you have not faced the main bit yet," she said as he ceased
speaking. "Where do I come in? You hae got this to face now, an' it'll
no' wait a' that time."

"Yes, I know," he replied, "I'm just coming to that. At first it won't
perhaps look too nice to you, but remember, Mysie, I want to face the
matter honestly and you'll have to help me. Very well," he went on. "As
I said, I go back to Edinburgh in three weeks at most--I'll try and go
in a fortnight, and you must go with me--not traveling together. We must
keep all our affairs to ourselves, and not even your parents or mine
must know. When I go away you'll come the day after. You can travel over
the moor to Greyrigg station, take the 4:30 train from there and I can
meet you at Edinburgh. I'll get a house next week when I go to arrange
for my term. I shall tell no one. You can live in the house I get and I
can continue perhaps in lodgings, and I shall come and visit you as
often as I can."

He stopped for a little and then resumed:--"I shall buy books for you
and come and teach you the things you'll need to learn, or I can get
someone to do it, if you'd like that better. Then when you are
thoroughly trained, I can bring you home to Rundell House and all will
be well."

"An' what aboot--what aboot--" she paused, averting her face. "Are you
no' forgettin' that it'll tak' a lang time for me to learn a' I'll need;
for I'm gey ill to learn."

"No, Mysie," he replied reassuringly. "When you arrive in Edinburgh, we
can go next day to be married before the Sheriff. It's all right, Mysie
dear," he assured her as he saw the questioning look in her eyes. "Don't
think I'm trying to trap you. I want to make what amends I can for what
has happened. You'll be my wife just as surely as if the minister
married us. If you are not content with that we can easily get married
with a minister after we decide to come back here."

"But wad that be a true marriage?" she asked, scarcely able to credit
what he told her. "Wad I get marriage lines?"

"Oh, yes. It would be legal, and you'd get marriage lines. Now what do
you say?"

"I dinna like the thocht o' no' tellin' my mither. Will I hae to gang
away, an' no' tell her?"

"Oh, you must not tell anyone," he replied quickly. "No one must know or
all our plans will go crash, and we'll both be left t