aughed in pleasant acknowledgment of
that How! had remarkably white and regular teeth. Indeed, Marion Armour
began to discover some estimable points in the appearance of her savage
sister-in-law. Marion remarked to herself that Lali might be a rather
striking person, if she were dressed, as her mother said, in Christian
garments, could speak the English language well--and was somebody else's
sister-in-law.

At this point Mackenzie came breathlessly to the bridge, and called
out a little sharply to Lali, rebuking her. In this Mackenzie made
a mistake; for not only did Lali draw herself up with considerable
dignity, but Marion, noticing the masterful nature of the tone,
instantly said: "Mackenzie, you must remember that you are speaking to
Mrs. Francis Armour, and that her position in General Armour's house
is the same as mine. I hope it is not necessary to say anything more,
Mackenzie."

Mackenzie flushed. She was a sensible woman, she knew that she had
done wrong, and she said very promptly: "I am very sorry, miss. I was
flustered, and I expect I haven't got used to speaking to--to Mrs.
Armour as I'll be sure to do in the future."

As she spoke, two or three deer came trotting out of the beeches down
to the lake side. If Lali was pleased and excited before, she was
overwhelmed now. Her breath came in quick little gasps; she laughed;
she tossed her hands; she seemed to become dizzy with delight; and
presently, as if this new link with, and reminder of, her past, had
moved her as one little expects a savage heart to be moved, two tears
gathered in her eyes, then slid down her cheek unheeded, and dried
there in the sunlight, as she still gazed at the deer. Marion, at first
surprised, was now touched, as she could not have thought it possible
concerning this wild creature, and her hand went out and caught Lali's
gently. At this genuine act of sympathy, instinctively felt by Lali,
the stranger in a strange land, husbanded and yet a widow, there came a
flood of tears, and, dropping on her knees, she leaned against the low
railing of the bridge and wept silently. So passionless was her grief
it seemed the more pathetic, and Marion dropped on her knees beside her,
put her arm round her shoulder, and said: "Poor girl! Poor girl!"

At that Lali caught her hand, and held it, repeating after her the
words: "Poor girl! Poor girl!"

She did not quite understand them, but she remembered that once just
before she parted from her