"It would be very handy to take a message out to Heimra Island," said Käthchen, demurely. Mary glanced at her, and laughed. "My dear Käthchen, curiosity is a humiliating weakness; but I will tell you what is in the letter that is lying on the hall table—and that is likely to lie there, unless a wind springs up from some quarter to-morrow. It is an invitation to Mr. Ross to come and dine with us on Monday next." "Monday?" said Kate Glendinning, looking surprised. "The very day your brother and Mr. Meredyth come here?" "For that very reason," said Mary. "I wish Mr. Ross to understand why we have never asked him to dine with us—well, of course he would understand for himself—two girls, living by themselves—and—and knowing him only for so short a time. But now, you see, I ask him for the very first evening that my brother is in the house—and that’s all right and correct—if there’s any Mrs. Grundy in Lochgarra." "The Free Church Minister!" said Käthchen, spitefully—for she had never forgiven the good man for his having kept aloof from the fray at Ru-Minard. "Mr. Ross has been very kind to me—in his reserved and distant way," Mary said, "and I should not like him to think me ungrateful——" "He cannot do that," said Käthchen, "if he hasn’t been blind to what your eyes have said to him again and again." "What do you mean, Käthchen?" Mary demanded—at once alarmed and resentful. Käthchen retreated quickly: it had been a careless remark. "Oh, I don’t mean anything. I mean your eyes have said ’Thank you,’ again and again; and it is but right they should. He has indeed been very thoughtful and kind—and always so respectful—keeping himself in the background. Oh, you need not be afraid, Mamie: you won’t find me suggesting that you shouldn’t have the most frank and friendly relations with Mr. Ross. At the same time——" "Yes, at the same time?" "I was wondering," said Käthchen, with a little hesitation, "how he might get on with your brother and Mr. Meredyth—or, rather, how they might get on with him——" "My brother and Mr. Meredyth," said Mary, a little proudly, "will remember that Mr. Ross is my guest: that will be enough."