ed lips--"I could make him understand! I
decided at last to confide in you, because you have been so kind and
friendly to us from the first that I felt sure you would be willing to
help. You will, won't you? Even if personally you don't approve of a
literary career, will you give Ron a chance of living his life in his
own way? If your brother approved of his writings, and helped him to a
beginning, even the very smallest beginning, father would be satisfied
that he was not wasting his time."

The Chieftain clasped his hands around his knees, and sat staring at her
with thoughtful gaze. His eyes rested upon the clear childlike eyes,
the sweet lips, the broad, honest brow, as though studying them in a new
light, and with regard to some problem suddenly presented to the mind.
Whatever was the question waiting to be decided, the answer was self-
evidently favourable, for his eyes lightened, he stretched out an
impetuous hand, and laid it upon her arm.

"Right!" he cried heartily. "Right! I'll help you! The lad's a good
lad, and a clever lad; but what I do will be for your sake, not his!
You are a dear girl! The dearest girl I have ever met--save one! For
the sake of the bit of her that lives again in you, I am at your
service. You shall have your chance. From to-day forward I will see to
it that George makes a member of our party wherever we go. He has done
enough writing; it is time that he began to play. Make him play, Miss
Vane! He has been old all his life; teach him to be young! He is the
best fellow in the world, but he is fast asleep. Wake him up! There is
just one condition, and that is, that you leave your brother and his
scribblings alone for the time being! Don't mention them, or any
question of the sort, but be content just to show yourself to George,
your own bright, natural girl-self, as you have shown it to me. Learn
to know one another, and forget all about the boy. His turn will come
later on! You promise?"

"Ye-es!" faltered Margot shyly. "Yes, I do; but you must promise too--
that you will, that you won't, won't let your brother think--"

The Chieftain touched her arm once more, with a gesture of kindly
reassurement.

"Don't you worry, little girl! He shall have no thoughts about you that
are not altogether chivalrous and true. It's not you who are going to
move in this matter, remember! You've given it over into my hands; it
is I who am to pull the strings. No, you needn't