She said nothing as Archie approached, but her eyes spoke inquiry and a shadow of softness flickered over so slightly round her broad lips. She was pleased to see him, but the shadow was caused less by her affection for him than by her appreciation of the charming figure he presented, seen thus suddenly and advancing with so much grace of movement in the sunlight. She stopped short when he was within a few steps of her, and, dropping her book upon the ground without troubling to see where it fell, held out her hand for him to kiss. He touched it with his lips, and then, thrusting his arm into the phlox-bushes, drew out the volume that had landed among them. From between the leaves dropped a folded paper, on which he recognized his own handwriting. "This is a surprise," said Madam Flemington, looking her grandson up and down. "I have ridden. My baggage is left at Balnillo." The moment of explanation would have to come, but his desire was to put it off as long as possible. "There is your letter between the pages of my book," said she. "It came to me this morning, and I was reading it again. It gave me immense pleasure, Archie. I suppose you have come to search for the clothes you mentioned. I am glad to see you, my dear; but it is a long ride to take for a few pairs of stockings." "You should see Balnillo's hose!" exclaimed Flemington hurriedly. "I'll be bound the old buck's spindle-shanks cost him as much as his estate. If he had as many legs as a centipede he would have them all in silk." "And not a petticoat about the place?" "None nearer than the kitchen." "He should have stayed in Edinburgh," said Madam Flemington, laughing. She loved Archie's society. "I hear that this Captain Logie is one of the most dangerous rebels in Scotland," she went on. "If you can lay him by the heels it is a service that will not be forgotten. So far you have done mighty well, Archie." They had reached the gate, and she laid her hand on his arm. "Turn back," she said. "I must consult you. I suppose that now you will be kept for some time at Balnillo? That nest of treason, Montrose, will give you occupation, and you must stretch out the portrait to match your convenience. I am going to take advantage of it too. I shall go to Edinburgh while you are away." "To Edinburgh?" exclaimed Flemington. "Why not, pray?" "But you leave Ardguys so seldom. It is years----" "The more reason I should go now," interrupted she. "Among other things, I must see my man of business, and I have decided to do it now. I shall be more useful to you in Edinburgh, too. I have been too long out of personal touch with those who can advance your interests. I had a letter from Edinburgh yesterday; you are better thought of there than you suspect, Archie. I did not realize how important a scoundrel this man Logie is, nor what your despatch to Montrose implied." He was silent, looking on the ground.