Gloria was dumfounded with astonishment. Besides, what could she say in opposition to so reasonable a proposal? She could say nothing. The three walked out together, Colonel de Crespigney taking the little parcel from his ward’s hand and carrying it himself. She made no objection to this. She rather liked it, because David Lindsay was also carrying a bundle. “What are the contents of these parcels, if I may inquire, my dear?” asked her guardian. “Presents for my dee-ar Granny Lindsay that I brought all the way from Edinboro’, but have not had the opportunity of taking to her before, because David Lindsay, whom I requested to come and row me over to the isle, was always denied me when he came to the house,” answered Gloria, ruthlessly. “Ah!” said her guardian; but he offered no explanation. David led the way to his boat, and assisted the lady and gentleman to enter it. He made them comfortable on the seats, and then taking both oars, rowed vigorously and rapidly for the little sandhill. In a very few moments they touched the beach, and the young boatman secured the boat and assisted the passengers to land. “Now,” said Gloria, addressing her two companions, as her queenly eyes traveled slowly from one to the other, “you two will please to bring my bundles as far as the door of the house, but no farther. I want you, if you please, then to return to the boat and wait for me; for I want my dee-ar Granny Lindsay all to myself to-day.” “Very well, little despot; you shall be obeyed,” said Colonel de Crespigney, answering for both, as they led the way to the dame’s cottage, followed by the young girl. The day was cold, though clear, so the cottage door was closed. “Here, now, leave the bundles, and go your way. I will join you in the boat, in half an hour,” said Gloria. Her two servants set down their burdens where they were told to put them, and went where they were ordered to go. Gloria watched them—not out of sight, for that she could not, on the tiny islet, where, from the rocky centre to the sandy circumference, everything was distinctly visible; but she watched them go down to the beach and begin to walk around it, before she knocked at the cottage door. “I wonder if uncle will say anything to David Lindsay? I hope he will not, for it was I who brought him to the house this time,” she said to herself, as she knocked again, for her first summons had not been answered. Now, however, the door opened, and Dame Lindsay appeared, smiling kindly, as of old, though looking rather feebler and more infirm than Gloria had ever seen her. “Ah, young lady, is it ’eeself at last come to see the old ’oman? I knew ’ee would sooner or later! Come in, dearie. Eh! then, what is all this? and where is David, that he has not brought them for ’ee?” she said, on espying the parcels.