for Viola Cameron. The Duke was now well pleased. He could not
but see what a fine fellow Lord Alasdair was, and accordingly he gave
the Palace of the Kings to the young pair, and had the whole house and
grounds put into perfect order, all at his own expense. The fair young
Viola Cameron and the brave Lord Alasdair were to be married on a
certain day early in December. All went merry as a marriage bell.
But, alas! tragedy was at the door, and early on the wedding morn Lord
Alasdair was found cold and dead in the deep lake which formed such a
feature of the property. How he died no one could tell; but die he did
with life so fair and bright before him, and the girl he loved putting
on her wedding clothes for the happy ceremony. There was no apparent
reason for his death, for he passionately loved the Lady Viola, and was
willing to give up his own proud name for her dear sake.

Viola Cameron mourned frantically for her lover for some time, and
refused to go near the Palace of the Kings; but after a time she
returned to London society, and eventually married a rich manufacturer,
nearly double her age and far beneath her in station.

The Duke, who, on her marriage with Lord Alasdair, was about to settle
a fortune upon her, now abandoned all such intentions, and Ardshiel
became his once more. Nor would he ever again allow himself to speak
of or talk to the Lady Viola. She was now beneath his notice.

The Lady Viola passes completely out of this story. The Palace of the
Kings had lain empty and deserted for over twenty long years, and Miss
Delacour knew this fact and intended to act accordingly. After making
full inquiries she paid the old Duke a visit, taking with her a certain
Mrs Macintyre. Mrs Macintyre was one of those women whom all men
respect, if they do not love. She had lost both husband and children.
She was of high birth and equally good education. She was now,
however, in sore want, and Miss Delacour thought she saw a way of
helping her and also adding to the lustre of her own name as a great
philanthropist. Miss Delacour did most of the talking, and Mrs
Macintyre all the sad, gentle smiles. In short, they won over the old
Duke, and Miss Delacour arranged that she should call upon Lucy's
husband in order to propound her scheme.

The little girls and the boys had time to meet before Miss Delacour's
arrival. Although that lady was well off, she would not take a
motor-car from Edinburgh to the Up