ever, Lord De Cressy laughed too, and did not seem to mind it."

"And then," continued Zena, "mamma told him that you were our governess, and she asked whether he knew the Lady Harriet you lived with. He said that she was his relation; but I daresay you did not know it, for English people never care to call cousins."

"Yes, I did know it," said Kathleen, smiling faintly, "in spite of the grievous want of family affection."

"That was all very tiresome," said Zena; "but we had great fun afterwards for he said he wanted to see Ailsa Craig, and so he and the boys settled to make an expedition there on Monday, if it is fine. We are all to go, and you too, mamma says, if you like."

"And you must like," added Willie, "for Lord De Cressy said he should not like to take charge of us by himself, and papa is going to Ayr, and mamma hates boating. It is very absurd of him, for we are quite able to take care of ourselves, and know rather more about a boat and scrambling over the rocks than you do. But mamma said that you would like to go very much."

"I will speak to Mrs. Irvine about it to-morrow," said Kathleen.

"There is not much to speak about," observed Willie, confidently; "for it is all settled, except the time of starting. Sandy is to ask the boatman, and let Lord De Cressy know. He said he was going to the chapel at Dallas, and would come on here afterwards."

"Papa told him that we went to the kirk at Dallas," said Zena; "but he did not seem to think that he should be there. So I suppose that you will see him at the English chapel."

"Very likely," said Kathleen; and then she bade her pupils good night.

CHAPTER XVII.

Das Muss ist hart, aber beim Muss kann der Mensch allein zeigen wie's inwendig mit ihm steht. Willkührlich leben kann jeder. GOETHE.

THE So called English chapel was a room over a tailor's shop, in Dallas, where the service of the church was held on alternate Sundays. The congregation was so small that Kathleen knew that Lord De Cressy could have no difficulty in recognising and accosting her as they dispersed, if he was so disposed. But she considered that she was still less likely to avoid an interview by remaining at home, since the Irvines did not leave Dallas until after the second service, so that he might ride out to Ardcrae to see her, secure from intrusion. Resolved, however, not to acquiesce in his desire for secrecy, she accepted the only remaining alternative in asking Janet to come to church with her.

"Oh yes, if you like," said Janet, rather surprised by the request, since Kathleen had, not long ago, discouraged her inclination to accompany her.

"I mean, of course," added Kathleen, "providing that Mrs. Irvine has no objection."

"Oh, mamma never objects, as long as we go to church somewhere," said Janet. "But when I wanted to go with you, two Sundays ago, you seemed to think that she ought to object."

"At least I was surprised that she did not, since she is a Presbyterian herself."

"She goes to the English chapel sometimes, when our visitors like it best," Janet answered. "Papa calls me prelatical, because I rather like it best too he does not really mind."

but

"It is not an English chapel," Kathleen began to explain, but Janet interrupted her without ceremony. "Oh, I know, strict people always say that. But life is not long enough to say 'Scotch Episcopal;' and there is an English prayer-book and an English minister, so it is much the same thing."

As Janet had foretold, Mr. Irvine called her prelatical, and Mrs. Irvine said, "Very well, my dear," when she announced her intention of accompanying Miss Mortimer to the chapel. So when the two carriages which conveyed the family to Dallas drew up before the Red Lion Inn, they parted from the others, and turned up a bye street leading to the room where service was held.

Kathleen did not raise her eyes throughout the service, but she was not surprised nor apparently agitated when they left the room, on its conclusion, and she saw Lord De Cressy waiting for them at the foot of the stair. The sunshine of the morning was already overcast, and large drops were beginning to fall, and this occasioned some delay, while those who had providently brought umbrellas put them up, and others drew their plaids over cap or bonnet. Lord De Cressy greeted Kathleen, as he had parted from her, with a distant bow, and addressed himself to Janet.

"Will you not stand aside, Miss Irvine, under the

stair, until the crowd has dispersed? If we wait a little, the clouds may blow over."

"More are likely to blow up," replied Janet, her more practised eye detecting the gathering blackness in the west; "but, however, we must wait awhile, for we can't get out until these good people please to move

on."

"I was surprised to see you here," continued Lord De Cressy. "I understood that you went to the parish church."

"So I do, in general," said Janet; "but Miss Mortimer asked me to come with her. Oh, there is Mrs. Campbell: I will ask whether her carriage is here, and if she can set us down at the Red Lion."

She darted forward to execute her purpose, and Lord De Cressy turned his eyes on Kathleen with an expression of haughty reproach. "So you were resolved, Miss Mortimer, to refuse the slight favour which I asked the opportunity of speaking to you apart."

"I could not help it," Kathleen answered, hurriedly: "if Mrs. Irvine knew, it might be different."

"Tell her, then," said De Cressy, "you are welcome to publish our acquaintance to the world." But the expression of scorn vanished from lip and eye, as Kathleen turned upon him a mute, appealing glance, eloquent in its helplessness. He was almost relieved to find Janet again by her side, so that he was spared the necessity of reply.

"Mrs. Campbell is walking," Janet informed her companions, "so she is in no better plight than we are or rather worse, in her fine bonnet. Mine will be none the worse for a wetting, and my cape turns the rain."

De Cressy.

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