She sniffed at his interjection. “I intend to buy land right and left in Elgin, and if Skirl Castle isn’t good enough--I don’t think much of it from the photographs--we’ll build a bigger one, and we’ll make that whole section hum; and Vestalia shall be as big an heiress as it contains, and the lucky man who marries her shall be treated like a brother of mine and Archie’s. And that is what you have thrown away. I say it to you frankly, because it is all over so far as you are concerned. She will listen to me, and my mind is quite made up--and papa can tell you what _that_ means!” “Even if your decision were not irrevocable,” said David, solemnly, “my answer would of necessity be the same. I would do much to please you, but I do not see my way to marrying your cousin.” They had paused to exchange these last sentences, and now upon the instant the Earl and his elderly companion came up. David essayed a revelatory wink to the nobleman, but it fell upon the stony places in Lord Drum-pipes wondering stare. Mr. Skinner wiped his brow decorously, and breathed appreciation of the halt. “Sir,” he began, addressing David, “I must assume that I am enjoying the opportunity of studying a district of England peculiarly favoured by Nature, and exceptionally embellished as well by the hand of man; but I wish to give expression to emotions of unmixed delight at all that I observe about me. We have inspected the internal appointments of the ancient hostelry, and have revelled, sir, in the luxurious yet studiously regulated beauties of this garden, and I confess that the novelty of the one and the charm of the other far surpass anything----” “Papa,” interposed his daughter, with cold severity, “we will leave these gentlemen to enjoy the novelties and charms by themselves for a few minutes, if you please. I have an explanation to make to you, since no one else offers it, and I think it should be no longer deferred.” She took her father’s arm as she spoke, and led him in a direct line across the sward toward the broad, low-lying, ivy-clad rear of the hotel. “Oh, it’s all right; they don’t mind your walking on the grass in England,” the two young men heard her say as she departed. These partners in deception gazed after her for a space. Then they looked at each other. “Davie, I don’t like it,” said the Earl. “Don’t like what?” “I’m afraid she’s got some kind of an inkling. It looks as if a suspicion were dawning in her mind. I warned you she was keen of scent.” Mosscrop burst forth with a peremptory guffaw of laughter. “You duffer of the earth,” he cried, “she knew all about you before ever she laid eyes on you!” He unfolded the chuckling narrative forthwith, to the Earl’s profound astonishment and concern. “Why then, man,” Drumpipes ejaculated at last, staring hard at the close-cropped lawn, “I can’t tell in the least if she loves me for myself alone.”