e speak for you as well as for him and myself, I'm almost sure I
can--can save her from Somerled."

At this Barbara frankly laughed, the way of putting it seemed so quaint;
and as for herself, she was feeling extraordinarily happy. She had got
what she wanted from life. She had got Morgan Bennett. And at the end of
the week he was going to America for a month, which was nice, because
while feeling perfectly safe about the future, she would be able to have
a little rest cure, without bothering to be agreeable to him. He was
fascinating, but strenuous. And if she need not have Barrie staying with
her after all, she could accept a charming invitation for Sunday and
part of Monday in the adorable Trossachs. It was the Duchess of Dalmelly
who had asked her, and she had thought she must refuse because Barrie
was due in Glasgow on Saturday evening. She had not felt like putting
off the child again, as Morgan would be gone; yet the Duchess did not
know that Barrie existed, and Barbara didn't want her to know. Why not
let things arrange themselves, and Barrie go to Dunelin Castle with the
MacDonalds? The Duchess was said to have wonderful house-parties, and
the Duke's place near Callander was famous. Barbara had never been
invited before and would like to go, especially as the fiancee of a
millionaire. It would give her new importance.

"Oh, well, you must do as you like," she said easily to Aline, "but
don't fuss _too_ much. What is to be, will be, you know."

"Yes, I know," Aline answered dryly. "And now I'll look up trains."

III

Aline induced Mrs. Bal to telegraph Barrie, "Await my messenger";
nevertheless the girl was greatly surprised to see Mrs. West. She had
vaguely thought that Barbara might send one of the red-headed maids, to
take her back to Glasgow.

Of course Basil must have known, but he had not told. Since Somerled and
the MacDonalds came, he had kept to himself with his writing as an
excuse. Now Barrie realized that certainly he had been expecting his
sister; yet he had not gone to meet her with his car. Perhaps there had
not been time: or perhaps he had an inspiration, and could not tear
himself from work, even for a few hours.

When Aline arrived at Ballachulish, Barrie and Somerled and Margaret
MacDonald were walking together by the side of fair Loch Leven. Barrie
wore a white dress and no hat. The late afternoon sun was dazzling on
her hair, and as Somerled looked at her, across Miss MacDonal