om of the basket. Margot had achieved her double purpose of
warming herself and breaking the ice of her hostess's reserve, and now
was in a fidget to be off to join Ron on the hillside; but the fear of
Mrs McNab was strong upon her, and she dare not move until her task was
complete.

There she sat upon the low fender-stool, the big white apron concealing
the blue tweed dress, her pretty, flushed face bent over her work, to
all appearances the most industrious of Cinderellas, while the pendulum
of the old oak clock clicked noisily to and fro, and through the open
door came a whiff of clean cool air, laden with the scent of flowers and
sweet-briar, with the pungent aromatic odour of growing herbs, with the
heavy sweetness of the dairy.

Margot thought with a shudder of the gloomy underground regions in
Regent's Park, where the servants of the house spent the greater part of
their lives. In her own future spells of authority she determined to be
very, very indulgent to pleas for "outings"; nay, even to make it a
matter of duty to plan days of sunshine and liberty for the patient,
uncomplaining workers.

The sun was beginning to peep forth from behind the clouds, and its rays
dancing across the kitchen floor were an almost irresistible temptation
to one newly escaped from town. Margot gave the basket an impatient
shake, and, as another means to the desired end, popped a couple of
berries into her mouth. So sweet did they taste, so fresh and ripe,
that another two soon followed suit, and henceforth she ate as steadily
as she worked. There could be no hesitation in so doing, for in fruit-
picking it is an unwritten law that the worker is free to take his toll.

It was while Margot's hand was raised to her mouth for the eighth or
ninth time that a footstep sounded on the flagged floor of the scullery
behind her back, and a man's voice and laugh startled her into vivid
attention. In both was a note which immediately recalled her companion
of the night before,--the cheery, warm-hearted pseudo-chieftain of the
Glen--yet in both rang a difference which told that the newcomer was not
he, but probably one closely connected by birth and association.

_The_ Mr Elgood; the Editor; the all-powerful dispenser of Ronald's
fortunes! Margot felt convinced that it could be no one else, and
experienced a moment of keen anticipation, followed by a shock of
disgust, as she grasped the meaning of his words.

"Ah-ha! So I've caught