t seen him
for these two months--not since we left Perrythorpe."

"No," Scott said gravely. "I know."

Dinah was silent for a brief space; then she braced herself for another
effort. "Scott, I--don't want to be--in anyone's way. If--if she would
like to see him, and if he--doesn't want to come--because of me, I--must
go, that's all."

She spoke with resolution, and pausing at the gate that led off the heath
into the garden looked him straight in the face.

"I want you," she said rather breathlessly, "to find out if--that is so.
And if it is--if it is--"

"My dear, you needn't be afraid," Scott said. "I am quite sure that
Eustace wouldn't wish to drive you away. He might be doubtful as to
whether you would care to meet him again so soon, but if you had no
objection to his coming, he wouldn't deliberately stay away on his own
account. You know--I don't think you've ever realized it--he loves
Isabel."

"Then he must want to come," she said quickly. "Oh, Scott, do you know--I
said a dreadful--a cruel--thing to him--that last day. If he really loves
her, it must have hurt him--terribly."

"What did you say?" Scott asked.

"I said--" the quick tears sprang to her eyes--"I said that he was unkind
to her, and that--that she was always miserable when he was there. Scott,
what made me say it? It was hateful of me! It was hateful!"

"It was the truth," Scott said. He looked at her thoughtfully for a few
seconds, then very kindly he patted her hand as it rested on the gate.
"Don't be so distressed!" he said. "It probably did him good--even if it
did hurt. But I think you are right. If Isabel has the smallest wish to
see him, he must come. I will see what I can do."

Dinah gave him a difficult smile. "You always put things right," she
said.

He lifted his shoulders with a whimsical expression. "The
magnifying-glass again!" he said.

"No," she protested. "No. I see you as you are."

"Then you see a very ordinary citizen," he said.

But Dinah shook her head. "A knight in disguise," she said.

CHAPTER XXIV

THE MOUNTAIN SIDE

When Isabel opened her eyes after a slumber that had lasted for the
greater part of the day, it was to find Scott seated beside her quietly
watching her.

She reached a feeble hand to him with a smile of welcome. "Dear Stumpy,
when did you come?"

"An hour or two ago," he said, and put the weak hand to his lips. "You
have had a good sleep, dear?"

"Yes," she said. "Yes. It has d