ar your wedding. I cried and cried at mine. Have you not a qualm?"

Jean shook her head and laughed, and Mr. Macdonald said:

"Off with you all to your play. It's an odd thing to choose to go to
to-night--

"'For never was there such a tale of woe
As this of Juliet and her Romeo.'"

Mrs. Macdonald shook her head and sighed.

"I can't help thinking it's a poor preparation for a serious thing like
marriage. I often don't feel so depressed at a funeral. There at least
you know you've come to the end--nothing more can happen." Then her eyes
twinkled and they left her laughing.

CHAPTER XXV

"'My lord, you nod: you do not mind the play.'
"'Yes, by Saint Anne, do I.... Madam lady.... _Would 'twere done_!'"

_The Taming of the Shrew._

Jean awoke early on her wedding morning and lay and thought over the
twenty-three years of her life, and wondered what she had done to be so
blessed, for, looking back, it seemed one long succession of sunny days.
The dark spots seemed so inconsiderable looking back as to be hardly
worth thinking about.

Her window faced the east, and the morning sun shone in, promising yet
another fine day. Through the wall she could hear Mhor, who always woke
early, busy at some game--possibly wigwams with the blankets and
sheets--already the chamber-maid had complained of finding the sheets
knotted round the bed-posts. He was singing a song to himself as he
played. Jean could hear his voice crooning. The sound filled her with an
immense tenderness. Little Mhor with his naughtiness and his endearing
ways! And beloved Jock with his gruff voice and surprised blue eyes, so
tender hearted, so easily affronted. And David--the dear companion of
her childhood who had shared with her all the pleasures and penalties
of life under the iron rule of Great-aunt Alison, who understood as no
one else could ever quite understand, not even Biddy.... But as she
thought of Biddy, she sprang out of bed, and leaning out of the window
she turned her face to Little St. Mary's, where her love was, and where
presently she would join him.

Five hours later she would stand with him in the church among the
blossoms, and they would be made man and wife, joined together till
death did them part. Jean folded her hands on the window-sill She felt
solemn and quiet and very happy. She had not had much time for thinking
in the last few days, and she was glad of this quiet hour. It was good
on her wedding mo