We presently came to a small village where we had breakfast at the inn.
For long we had eaten nothing but the musty fare of the brig, and I shall
never forget with what merry daffing we enjoyed the crisp oaten cake, the
buttered scones, the marmalade, and the ham and eggs. After we had eaten
Aileen went to her room to snatch some hours sleep while I made
arrangements for a cart to convey us on our way.

A wimpling burn ran past the end of the inn garden, and here on a rustic
bench I found my comrade when I sought her some hours later. The sun was
shining on her russet-hair. Her chin was in her hands, her eyes on the
gurgling brook. The memories of the night must still have been thrilling
her, for she was singing softly that most exquisite of love songs "Annie
Laurie."

"'Maxwelton's braes are bonnie,
Where early fa's the dew,
Where me and Annie Laurie
Made up the promise true.'"

Her voice trembled a little, and I took up the song.

"'Made up the promise true,
And ne'er forget will I;
And for bonnie Annie Laurie
I'd lay me doun and dee.'"

At my first words she gave a little start, her lips parted, her head came
up prettily to attention, and though I could not see them I was ready to
vow that she listened with shining eyes. Softly her breath came and went.
I trod nearer as I sang.

"'Her brow is like the snaw-drift,
Her throat is like the swan,
She's jimp about the middle,
Her waist ye weel micht span.'

"Oh, Aileen, if I might--if I only had the right! Won't you give it me,
dear heart?"

In the long silence my pulse stopped, then throbbed like an aching tooth.

"I'm waiting, Aileen. It is to be yes or no?"

The shy blue eyes met mine for an instant before they fluttered
groundward. I could scarce make out the low sweet music of her voice.

"Oh, Kenneth, not now! You forget--my brother Malcolm----"

"I forget everything but this, that I love you."

In her cheeks was being fought the war of the roses, with Lancaster
victorious. The long-lashed eyes came up to meet mine bravely, love lucent
in them. Our glances married; in those clear Highland lochs of hers I was
sunk fathoms deep.

"Truly, Kenneth?"

"From the head to the heel of you, Aileen, l