e they were
looked at: when they were left to themselves they frequently
disappeared. It was another proof of Ingram's kindliness that he had not
even mentioned the old lady down in Kensington who was likely to have
something to say about this marriage.

"There are a great many difficulties in the way," said Ingram
thoughtfully.

"Yes," said Lavender with much eagerness, "but then, look! You may be
sure that if we get over these, Sheila will know well who managed it,
and she will not be ungrateful to you, I think. If we ever should be
married, I am certain she will always look on you as her greatest
friend."

"It is a big bribe," said the elder man, perhaps a trifle sadly; and
Lavender looked at him with some vague return of a suspicion that some
time or other Ingram must himself have been in love with Sheila.

They returned to the inn, where they found Mackenzie busy with a heap of
letters and newspapers that had been sent across to him from Stornoway.
The whole of the breakfast-table was littered with wrappers and big blue
envelopes: where was Sheila, who usually waited on her father at such
times to keep his affairs in order?

Sheila was outside, and Lavender saw her through the open window. Was
she not waiting for him, that she should pace up and down by herself,
with her face turned away from the house? He immediately went out and
went over to her, and she turned to him as he approached. He fancied she
looked a trifle pale, and far less bright and joyous than the ordinary
Sheila.

"Mr. Lavender," she said, walking away from the house, "I wish very much
to speak to you for a moment. Last night it was all a misfortune that I
did not understand; and I wish you to forget that a word was ever spoken
about that."

Her head was bent down, and her speech was low and broken: what she
failed to explain in words her manner explained for her. But her
companion said to her, with alarm and surprise in his tone, "Why,
Sheila! You cannot be so cruel! Surely you need not fear any
embarrassment through so slight a promise. It pledges you to nothing--it
leaves you quite free; and some day, if I come and ask you then a
question I have not asked you yet, that will be time enough to give me
an answer."

"Oh no, no!" said the girl, obviously in great distress, "I cannot do
that. It is unjust to you to let you think of it and hope about it. It
was last night everything was strange to me--I did not understand
then--but I have t