e of
abject submission. She's a wonderful woman!"

Margot smiled with returning composure. She divined her companion's
desire to change the subject of conversation, and was quite willing to
further his efforts. What she had already heard concerning George
Elgood supplied ample food for meditation.

Viewed in dispassionate light, it was not wholly disconcerting, for if
the citadel could but once be stormed, there seemed a certainty of
gaining sympathy and consideration. She must be content to wait in
patience, until the hermit had become reconciled to her existence; but
Ron, as a fellow-man, could venture on advances on his own account.

She must talk to Ron in private, and try to instil into him some of her
own energy and enterprise. He was a dear, wonderful fellow, but
absolutely wanting in initiative. Poets, she supposed, were always
dreamy, impracticable creatures, unfitted to attend to practical
interests, and dependent upon the good offices of some adoring woman
working meekly in the background.

Her eyes brightened eloquently as she watched her brother's approach
along the winding path. What a handsome young figure of manhood he made
in his Norfolk jacket and knickerbockers, the close-fitting deerstalker
cap showing the light chestnut hair, from which no barber's shears could
succeed in banishing the natural kink and curl. No one would suspect,
to look at him, that he cherished poetical ambitions! Margot was
English enough to be thankful for this fact, illogical as it may appear.
She was proud to realise that he looked a thorough sportsman, and in
absolute harmony with his surroundings, and instinctively her pride and
affection voiced themselves in words. The Chieftain might not be the
rose, but he was at least near the rose, and it would be well to enlist
his interest as well as that of his brother.

"Doesn't he look splendid?"

Mr Elgood started, and for a moment his round face expressed the
blankest bewilderment, then his eyes lit upon Ron, and comprehension
dawned.

"Ah, yes," he returned indifferently, "nice-looking lad! Pity he hasn't
more to say for himself. What's he supposed to do? Business or
profession?"

"It's not decided. He has not long come down from Cambridge. He is
quiet, but he is very clever, all the same. Much cleverer than most
boys of his age."

"Humph!" The Chieftain's tone was distinctly sceptical. "Yes! Good
degree?"

Margot's colour heightened in embarrass