ur disposal so long as you consent
to remain in Lewis--in Stornoway if you please, elsewhere if you
please--only in Lewis. And while you are painting pictures, and making
as much money as you can that way, you can have plenty of fishing and
shooting and amusement; and my guns and boats and rods are all at your
service." Mr. Mackenzie considered that no man could resist such an
offer.

Sheila, of course, told her husband of the sum of money she owned, and
for a longtime it was a standing joke between them. He addressed her
with much respect, and was careful to inform her of the fluctuations
of the moneymarket. Sometimes he borrowed a sovereign of her, and
never without giving her an I O U, which was faithfully reclaimed. But
by and by she perceived that he grew less and less to like the mention
of this money. Perhaps it resembled too closely the savings which the
overcautious folks about Borvabost would not entrust to a bank, but
kept hid about their huts in the heel of a stocking. At all events,
Sheila saw that her husband did not like her to go to this fund for
her charities; and so the fifty pounds that her father had given her
lasted a long time. During this period of jubilation, in which she
looked forward to touching her husband's heart by an innocent little
stratagem, more frequent appeals were made to the drawer in which
the treasure was locked up, so that in the end her private dowry was
reduced to thirty pounds.

If Ingram could have but taken part in this plan of hers! The only
regret that was mingled with her anticipations of a happier future
concerned this faithful friend of hers, who seemed to have been cut
off from them for ever. And it soon became apparent to her that her
husband, so far from inclining to forget the misunderstanding that
had arisen between Ingram and himself, seemed to feel increased
resentment, insomuch that she was most careful to avoid mentioning his
name.

She was soon to meet him, however. Lavender was resolved that he would
not appear to have retired from the field merely because Ingram had
entered it. He would go to this dinner on the Tuesday evening, and
Sheila would accompany him. First, he asked her. Much as she would
have preferred not visiting these particular people, she cheerfully
acquiesced: she was not going to be churlish or inconsiderate on the
very eve of her dramatic _coup_. Then he went to Mrs. Lorraine and
said he had persuaded Sheila to come with him; and the yo