"My dear, you needn't be afraid," Scott said. "I am quite sure that Eustace wouldn't wish to drive you away. He might be doubtful as to whether you would care to meet him again so soon, but if you had no objection to his coming, he wouldn't deliberately stay away on his own account. You know--I don't think you've ever realized it--he loves Isabel." "Then he must want to come," she said quickly. "Oh, Scott, do you know--I said a dreadful--a cruel--thing to him--that last day. If he really loves her, it must have hurt him--terribly." "What did you say?" Scott asked. "I said--" the quick tears sprang to her eyes--"I said that he was unkind to her, and that--that she was always miserable when he was there. Scott, what made me say it? It was hateful of me! It was hateful!" "It was the truth," Scott said. He looked at her thoughtfully for a few seconds, then very kindly he patted her hand as it rested on the gate. "Don't be so distressed!" he said. "It probably did him good--even if it did hurt. But I think you are right. If Isabel has the smallest wish to see him, he must come. I will see what I can do." Dinah gave him a difficult smile. "You always put things right," she said. He lifted his shoulders with a whimsical expression. "The magnifying-glass again!" he said. "No," she protested. "No. I see you as you are." "Then you see a very ordinary citizen," he said. But Dinah shook her head. "A knight in disguise," she said. CHAPTER XXIV THE MOUNTAIN SIDE When Isabel opened her eyes after a slumber that had lasted for the greater part of the day, it was to find Scott seated beside her quietly watching her. She reached a feeble hand to him with a smile of welcome. "Dear Stumpy, when did you come?" "An hour or two ago," he said, and put the weak hand to his lips. "You have had a good sleep, dear?" "Yes," she said. "Yes. It has done me good." She lay looking at him with a smile still in her eyes. "I hope little Dinah is resting," she said. "She was with me nearly all night. I didn't wish it, Stumpy, but the dear child wouldn't leave till I was more comfortable." "She is resting for a little now," he said. "I am so sorry you had a bad time last night." "Oh, don't be sorry for me!" she said softly. "My bad times are so nearly over now. It is a waste of time to talk about them. She sent for you, did she?" He bent his head. "She knew I would wish to be sent for. She fancied you might be wanting me." "I do want you," she said, and into her wasted face there came a look of unutterable tenderness. "Oh, Stumpy darling, need you leave me again?" He was still holding her hand; his fingers closed upon it at her words. "I think the last part may be--a little steep," she said wistfully. "I would like to feel that you are near at hand. You have helped me so often--so often. And then too--there is--my little Dinah. I want you to help her too." "God knows I will do my best, dear," he said.