"I think you as beautiful to-day as ever I thought you," answered Wat, with a certain weary diplomacy. If the Mammon of Unrighteousness must have the care of the Beloved, it might be as well to make a friend of Mammon. "Yet you have sought other and younger loves"--she purred her words softly at him--"you have been unfaithful to the old days when it was not less than heaven for you to kiss my hand or to carry my fan." "Unfaithful!" said Wat, laughing a little hard laugh; "yet your ladyship hath twice been wedded to men of your own choice, whilst I remain lonely, a wanderer, companionless." "You will ever be welcome at the House of Balmaghie," she said, laying her hand on his. Wat looked up eagerly. It was not an invitation he had looked for from the duchess on this side the grave. "Ever most welcome," repeated my lady, looking tenderly at him. "Indeed, gladly would I endeavor to comfort you if ever you come to us in sore trouble." Wat turned away disappointed. He would certainly look for his consolation from another source, if ever he came within reach of the House of Balmaghie. "I thank you, my lady," said Wat. "At present my heart is too heavy to permit me more fully to express my gratitude." He spoke the words mechanically, without setting a meaning to them. He listened to his own lips speaking as if they had been another's, and wondered what they found to say. It was the afternoon when at last the boat was lowered to put Wat and Scarlett ashore. They were already stepping across the deck to the ship's side when Kate appeared at the top of the ladder which led up from the cabin. She walked straight to where Wat was standing and held out both her hands. "I am yours; remember, I shall ever be ready," she said, quite clearly. "And I," he said, more softly, "will come to you were it across the world. Only in your hour of need send me once again the heart of gold for a sign." And he took her token from his neck, touched it with his lips, and gave it back to her. "Till you need me, keep it!" he said, and so stooped and kissed her on the forehead before them all. Then, without looking back, he followed Scarlett down the ladder into the boat. CHAPTER XLII THE FIERY CROSS Wat and Scarlett found themselves landed in a country which to all intents was one both savage and hostile. It was not indeed Barra's country, but the danger was scarcely less on that account. They were strangers and Sassenach. Wat carried gold in his belt, more than many a Highland chief had ever seen at one time in his life--gold which at Perth or Inverness could be exchanged for a prince's wealth of swords and daggers, pistols and fighting-gear.