claimed, and Willie and Zena confided to each other their hope that it would be long enough before the Aunties found a companion to supply her place. Peter looked compassionate when he heard the news: he advised Kathleen not to ruffle her collar, or swing her arms as she walked along George-street; for he always got into trouble with Aunt Rebecca for such delinquencies. Helen laughed at Peter's well-meant advice, and Kathleen roused herself with a start and a shiver, and tried to smile also. Time dragged heavily on, as in an uneasy dream, and she dared not relieve her oppression by breathing the fresh air, for fear of encountering Lord De Cressy. 13 De Cressy. CHAPTER XIX. 'Tis life whereof our nerves are scant, TENNYSON. KATHLEEN'S imprisonment within the four walls of her school-room did not last long. Miss Robinson wrote by return of post to accept her niece's kind offer, with many expressions of gratitude for the consideration that prompted it; and Mrs. Irvine knew the Aunties too well to confess that she had been influenced by motives of personal convenience. Aunt Rebecca went on to say that, as the bed was always well aired, Miss Mortimer could not come too soon, and the carriage was ordered to take Kathleen into Dallas that very day. "I have no doubt they expect you," Mrs. Irvine said, "and that you will find Aunt Nancy on the platform, looking out for the Glasgow train; she is always glad of an excuse for a walk to the station." The day was so fine that the young Irvines had gone off to the moor, without waiting for the arrival of the post murmuring a good deal at Lord De Cressy's defection, whose desire to see Ailsa Craig had quite subsided. Janet had made a provisional good-bye, and Peter took it for granted that she would not leave Arderae until the following day, and refused to make No one remained to wish any leave-taking whatever. Kathleen good speed on her journey, except Mrs. Irvine; she said as much as politeness required sent her love to her aunts, and hoped that nothing would interfere with Miss Mortimer's return in the course of a few weeks. Kathleen did not know what she hoped; she was only conscious that life appeared still more dreary than when, with misgivings and sinking of heart, she passed along that road to undergo her first introduction to Ardcrae. While her luggage was being transferred from the pony-carriage to the coach, the hostess of the Red Lion invited Kathleen to step into the sanded parlour on the ground-floor. The oppressive odours of whisky and tobacco induced her to prop open the window, from a benevolent regard for the next comer. This was scarcely done, when the sound of a horse's foot caused her to look up, and as promptly to retire from the window. The rider was Lord De Cressy; he recognised first the Ardcrae livery, then the black box, with its familiar initials of K. M., with which he had become intimately acquainted in the course of their foreign travels. He pulled up instantly, and asked the lame ostler, who was sunning himself before the door, if Miss Mortimer had taken her place in the coach. "I'll no certify the name," answered the man, with national caution, "but it's just the Ardcrae governess. I kenna if she is gaen for a' thegither, but nae doot she finds sae mony a sair handfu'. She aye lookit ower silly and feckless to tak tent to hersell, let alone ither folk's bairns." It is probable that the contemptuous tone of the reply was not lost on Lord De Cressy, any more than on another listener. "I am thinking, Jamie," the portly 13* hostess said, jeeringly, "that ye'll no be minded to turn dominie yoursell, for as clever as ye seem." "You may say that, mistress," rejoined the old man, with a grim smile; "I am no abune breaking stanes, when ilka trade fails, but I wadna demean mysell to break the puir weans' spirits." "The lassie is mair like to break her ain," said the other speaker, in an under tone, however, which did not reach Lord De Cressy's ears. Kathleen had heard and seen all that passed, while herself screened from observation by the projecting shutter. For a moment De Cressy looked irresolute, and her heart beat quick, she knew not whether with hope or fear; then the decision was made, and he turned his horse's head, and retraced his steps to Dalross. When Mr. Irvine called at the lodge on the following day, he was informed that Lord De Cressy had gone on a tour to the West Highlands really gone thither, for he had left directions that his letters should be forwarded to Oban. Mrs. Irvine congratulated herself on the success of her manœuvre, and she resolved to resume her treasure, Miss Mortimer, as soon as she had reason to believe that Lord De Cressy was safe on the other side of the Border. Kathleen had read the struggle in De Cressy's mind remorse that he should once more have driven her forth to form new ties, and an eager impulse to seek her at once, and declare his affection without reserve, as alone he knew it could be accepted. But the inclination had yielded again to false shame, as he discovered in what estimation "the Ardcrae governess" was held by those in a still lower rank. "So easily swayed by the opinion of others, and mastered by his own pride, how could I have ever loved him?" Kathleen asked herself. She might rather have asked how she could love him still, for with his image her thoughts were exclusively occupied during her journey to Edinburgh. As Mrs. Irvine had foretold, there was a trim, dapper little person on the platform, awaiting the arrival of the train, whom Kathleen knew by intuition to be the younger Miss Robinson. So much had been said of Aunt Nancy's activity of mind and body, that it was rather a shock when the wearer of a bonnet bright with pink bows turned her head so as to reveal her yellow, puckered features. But her figure was slight and erect, her movements alert, and, because the other sister was some years older, and far more infirm, most people were content to acquiesce in her own sense of comparative youth. Kathleen had time to indulge in a feeling of dissatisfaction, before the doors of the carriages were opened, at the prospect of disturbing the associations bound up in the name of Agnes, by bestowing it on one who so little resembled her sister. Oddly enough, the first words exchanged with her new acquaintance set her mind at rest on this point. After glancing down the file of passengers, the old lady decided that no one else would answer to the description she had received of Miss Mortimer, and she introduced herself with great promptitude. "Miss Mortimer, if I'm not mistaken. And since we are strangers, though I hope we will not be strangers long, it will be as well to mention that I am Miss Nancy Robinson. Miss Robinson proper, my oldest |