"Kate, my lass," he said, "I have never compelled you to aught all my life--rather it hath been the other way, perhaps too much. And I will not urge you now. Do you still wish to forsake your father for this man, whose tale you have heard--a tale which, whatever of truth may be in it, he hath certainly hid from you as long as possible? Or will you return to your own home with me, your father, and with this noble lady, to whom I give you as a daughter?" Kate stood clasping her hands nervously and looking from one to the other of them. But it was to Wat that she spoke. "My true-love, I do not distrust you--do not think that," she said, with her lips pale and trembling, her color coming and going. "I believe every word in spite of them all. Aye, and shall always believe you. For, indeed, I cannot do otherwise and live. But oh, my lad" (here for the first time she broke into a storm of sobs), "if you had only trusted me--only told me--I should not have cared. She could not help loving you--but it was I whom you loved all the while." Wat came nearer to her. She gave him her hand again. "Nevertheless, for this time I must go with my father, since he bids me. But be brave, Wat, dear lad," she went on; "I believe in you always. The good days will come, and good day or bad day, remember that I shall be ready for you whenever you call me to come to you!" In a moment they were in each other's arms. "I will come!" whispered Wat Gordon in her ear; "if I be alive, as God sees me, I will come to you when and where you need me." Roger McGhie had turned his back on them. My lady's eyes glittered with malice and jealousy, but only my Lord Barra found a word to say. "Most touching!" he sneered, "much more so indeed than facts--but perhaps hardly so convincing." * * * * * Kate had gone below. The others still remained upon the deck. The _Sea Unicorn_ was heading directly for the main-land. Barra pointed to the blue hills which were slowly changing into gray olive on the lower slopes as the ship neared the land. "We are honored," he said, "with the company of so brave a lover and one so successful. But we would not keep him from other conquests. So, since I, Murdo of Barra, do not use the daggers of harlots, nor yet the crumbling walls of towers, to crush those who hate me, I give you, sir, your liberty, which I hope you will use wisely, in order that you may retrieve a portion of that honor which by birth is yours. I will set your companion and yourself on shore at the nearest point of land without any conditions whatsoever." Wat bowed. He did not pay much attention. He was thinking rather of Kate's last words. Barra went over to the captain and entered into earnest talk with him. It was the turn of the lady of Balmaghie. She came over to where Wat was standing by the side of the ship. "You thought me beautiful once, or at least you told me so, Lochinvar," she said, laying her hand on his.