his
matrimonial troubles, and, one evening when they were walking, he had
pointed out Margaret Vedder. She was standing on the Troll Rock
looking seaward. The level rays of the setting sun fell upon her. She
stood, as it were, in a glory; and Lord Lynne had been much struck
with her noble figure and with the set melancholy of her fine face.

So he knew that Jan had had trouble about his wife, and also that he
had been wounded in a fight; and putting the two things together he
made a perfectly natural inference. He was aware, also, that Margaret
was Peter Fae's daughter and a probable heiress. If he thought of
Jan's social position, he doubtless considered that only a Shetland
gentleman would aspire to her hand. But he made no effort whatever to
gain Jan's confidence; if he chose to give it, he would do so at the
proper time, and without it they were very happy. For Lord Lynne had
been a great traveler, and Jan never wearied of hearing about the
places he had visited. With a map before him, he would follow every
step up and down Europe. And across Asian seas, through Canadian
cities, and the great plains of the West, the two men in memory and
imagination went together.

Nothing was said of Jan's future; he asked no questions, gave no
hints, exhibited no anxiety. He took his holiday in holiday spirit,
and Lord Lynne understood and appreciated the unselfishness and the
gentlemanly feeling which dictated the apparent indifference. At
Margate the yacht went into harbor. Lord Lynne expected letters there,
which he said would decide his movements for the winter. He was silent
and anxious when he landed; he was in a mood of reckless but assumed
indifference when he came on board again.

After dinner he spread the large map on the saloon table, and
said: "Vedder, what do you say to a few months' cruise in the
Mediterranean? I am not wanted at home, and I should like to show
you some of the places we have talked about. Suppose we touch at the
great Spanish ports, at Genoa, Venice, Naples and Rome, and then
break the winter among the Isles of Greece and the old Ionian
cities?"

Jan's face beamed with delight; there was no need for him to speak.

"And," continued his lordship, "as I sleep a great deal in warm
climates, I shall want a good sailor aboard. I saw by the way you
handled the yacht during that breeze in 'The Wash,' that you are one.
Will you be my lieutenant this winter? I will pay you L100 a quarter;
that will kee