mmon effect of making them draw back from the object of it. After the
service, nobody spoke to Annie. She heeded this but little, absorbed as
she was in thankfulness in finding that the privileges of God's house
were not disturbed--that her relation to Him and her rights of worship
were not touched by any fallibility in His minister. As she reached the
entrance of the churchyard, Macdonald overtook her, and made her use his
arm for the descent of the irregular steps. A few words from Helsa had
put him in possession of the case. He desired the widow not to think
for a moment of leaving her house. Everybody wished to do what could be
done to reconcile the stranger lady to her abode in the island; but
there was a point beyond which he was sure Sir Alexander would not
permit encroachment. His advice was to serve and please her in small
affairs, and leave it to Sir Alexander to deal with her in such an
important one as her having a house to herself. Annie smiled, and said
this was exactly her plan.

That evening was, to the inhabitants of the island, the most memorable
one of the year--of the generation--of the century. This was not fully
known at the time. The most memorable days often appear just like other
days till they are past; and though there was some excitement and bustle
this evening, no one on the island saw the full meaning of what was
before his eyes.

A little before sunset, the widow plainly saw a larger vessel than often
visited those seas approaching from the south-west. It was larger than
Macdonald's sloop. She was straining her eyes to see whether it had two
masts or three, when she heard the children's voices below. She called
them up to her platform for the help of their young eyes; but when they
came, they could spare little attention for the distant vessel, so full
were they of the news that their mother had run down to the harbour to
try to speak to some sailors who had landed from a boat which had come
up the harbour while everybody was at church. It was such a pity that
their father was gone, just at this time, to visit a sick person at
Macdonald's farm! But their mother went directly, as fast as she could
run, and Lady Carse and Helsa were to follow her as soon as Helsa had
put up a bundle.

To recall Mr Ruthven was the first thing Annie thought of. She did not
venture to send the children over for him, lest their hurry and
excitement, or any air of mystery, should give the alarm