even assumed an elder brotherly manner; which
amused Mrs. Hazeldean highly.

"We are well met," he said. "I was just
going to storm you in your parlour."

"Well," said she, "you can escort me back to
my parlour, if that will do for you as well. Have
you anything very particular to say to me?"

"Something so particular that I cannot say
it on the highway. Especially as we are coming
so near the village."

"Some more evil news, I suppose," said Mrs.
Hazeldean, sadly.

"No," said Sir Archie, "I think not. It is
a matter purely personal, at all events.

"Purely personal," said Mrs. Hazeldean,
relieved. "Is it anything about Janet?"

"A little about Janet," said Sir Archie,
smiling.

Mrs. Hazeldean gave her head a little shake,
and sighed, but said nothing; only quickened
her steps towards her own door. Already her
mind's eye beheld a wedding taking place: a
wedding which she did not long to see.

She untied her bonnet-strings, and sat down
upon her sofa. Sir Archie took a chair, and
sat facing her and the light, resting his arms
upon her dining-table.

"Now for it!" he said, and a grave change
came over his manner. "Well, Aunt Margaret,
I have come here all the way for the purpose
of asking you to take specially under your
protection that young girl whom my sister Mary
has sent to the castle."

"Has Mary written again?" said Mrs.
Hazeldean. "I have made several efforts to
know the girl, but she has always been too
busy, as yet, to make new acquaintances. I
hope they are not working her to death."

"Mary has nothing to do with this," said Sir
Archie, sticking to his point. "I have come to
you of my own accord, and for reasons of my
own. I want you to take especial care of that
girl for me."

"For you?" said Mrs. Hazeldean.

"For me," said Sir Archie, getting more
earnest and quiet in his manner as he went on
speaking. "Because, Aunt Margaret, some
day when I have a good opportunity, when I
have not quite so much care upon my mind,
and when I have tried to pave the way towards
some hope of success, I intend to ask that girl
to be my wife."

Mrs. Hazeldean sat absolutely silent for the
next three or four moments. Then she got up
and came and stood beside her nephew.

"Archie," said she, with her hand upon his
arm, "are you perfectly sane? My poor boy!"

"Quite sane, Aunt Margaret, and not a boy.
That last is an important point for you to
remember."

"But what does it mean, Archie? And who
is she? And Janet——?"

"I will tell you what it means, and who she is.
and about Janet," said Sir Archie. "Sit down
again, Aunt Margaret, and let us be comfortable.
I expect some little trouble at the castle,
but I have counted upon you as my friend."

"Always, Archie; but, remember I am
shocked."

"I know that; but I am going to make you
easy in your mind. My mother, my sister, my
aunt, have long been anxious for me to marry.
Is that granted?"

"Yes."

"The lady they selected does not please me.
I do not please her. The idea never did please
Mrs. Hazeldean. Is that so?"

"That is so."

"Well, to-morrow I will have an interview
with my mother for the purpose of assuring her
that she must break off that absurd engagement,
which never was more than a mockery.
She made it, and she must unmake it. So far
one difficulty will be disposed of. As to who
she is, I will tell you; for I have made it my
business to find out. Her father was an Irish
gentleman, who died in banishment for his
political honesty. If this be a disgrace, then many
shining names are under a cloud."

"Disgrace!" said Mrs. Hazeldean.

"Well, I can tell you enough about her
family when we have time. In the mean time
another point has been established. And now,
with regard to what is the meaning of it, I can
only say I have thought of this ever since the
first time—most certainly since the second time,
I saw her. It is something all-important which
has happened to me; that is all. You may say
it is romantic, out of the ordinary course of
things, anything you like. I can only say it is
something which I hardly believed in, but have
experienced and realised. I have passed by
many women, and never felt inclined to turn
my head to see which way they went. But
now, why, I am so constantly looking over my
shoulder that I can hardly see my way as I go
along. There now is a confession for you, Aunt
Margaret! You will understand about it better
when you have closely observed her face."

"It is a good face," said Mrs. Hazeldean.

"A good face!" repeated Sir Archie, slightly
provoked, "Well, as you say, it is a good
face. Let that be."

"And the girl herself," said Mrs. Hazeldean;
"how much does she know of all this?"

"Just as much as you knew an hour ago,"
said Sir Archie. "I will never enlighten her
so long as she is in her present position under
my roof. She shall not be annoyed and
distressed, as she would be, as she must be. I
will give myself a fair chance."

"A fair chance, Archie! Do you know some
people would think you very odd."

"Maybe I am odd, Aunt Margaret. You
ought to know."

"Yes, I ought to know."

"Well, I will never disturb her, until we
have seen some way of changing her condition.
When she is out of my mother's reach—for my
mother will be angry for a time—and when she
is in some more independent position, then I
will set to work in my own way."

"And in the mean time? What is it that
you want me to do?"