narrow sound that is
overlooked by the gloomy mountains of Jura. They would see the distant
islands where the chief of Colonsay is still mourned for on the still
evenings by the hapless mermaiden, who sings her wild song across the
sea. They would keep wide of the dangerous currents of Corryvreckan, and
by and by they would sail into the harbor of Oban, the beautiful
sea-town where Sheila first got a notion of the greatness of the world
lying outside of her native island.

What if she were to come down now from this busy little seaport, which
lay under a pale blue smoke, and come out upon this pier to meet the
free sunlight and the fresh sea-air blowing all about? Surely at a great
distance he could recognize the proud, light step, and the proud, sad
face. Would she speak to him, or go past him, with firm lips and piteous
eyes, to wait for the great steamer that was now coming along out of the
eastern mist? Lavender glanced vaguely around the quays and the
thoroughfares leading to them, but there was no one like Sheila there.
In the distance he could hear the throbbing of the Clansman's engines as
the big steamer came on through the white plain. The sun was warmer now
on the bright waters of the Frith, and the distant haze over the pale
blue mountains beyond had grown more luminous. Small boats went by, and
here and there a yachtsman, scarlet-capped and in white costume, was
taking a leisurely breakfast on his deck. The sea-gulls circled about,
or dipped down on the waters, or chased each other with screams and
cries. Then the Clansman sailed into the quay, and there was a flinging
of ropes and general hurry and bustle, while people came crowding round
the gangways, calling out to each other in every variety of dialect and
accent.

Sheila was not there. He lingered about, and patiently waited for the
starting of the steamer, not knowing how long she ordinarily remained at
Greenock. He was in no hurry, indeed, for after the vessel had gone he
found himself with a whole day before him, and with no fixed notion as
to how it could be passed.

In other circumstances he would have been in no difficulty as to the
spending of a bright forenoon and afternoon by the side of the sea. Or
he could have run through to Edinburgh and called on some artist-friends
there. Or he could have crossed the Frith and had a day's ramble among
the mountains. But now that he was satisfied that Sheila had not gone
home all his fancies and hopes