He got her fur cloak, and insisted on wrapping it round her. Then, together, they stood for a few moments looking down through the vista of pines and bare trees to the silver Loch in the distance. It was a brilliant starlit night; here and there on the hills and moor in the distance, a faint light from some shepherd's cot or farm shone out. Owls were hooting in the neighbouring wood, but otherwise there was a great stillness. And Rowena said with a half-caught breath: "I expect it was just a night like this when the earth was hushed and still to hear the angel's voices. The whole world waiting till the Saviour of the earth was born!" Something in her voice made General Macdonald draw her very closely and tenderly to him. "Why, dearest, what is the matter? Tears on Christmas night!" Rowena smiled through misty eyes. "I only thought I'd like to tell you to-night, that before another Christmas comes round, I may be a mother. I seem to feel the Manger-throne so close to me to-night." General Macdonald bent his head and kissed her. For once his composure was shaken. "My darling," he said, "what a wonderful joy to give me to-night." "Are you pleased?" she whispered. "I did not know if you would be." Her husband tightened his hold on her; then he looked up into the starry sky. "If God sees fit to give us a son," he said in a husky tone, "to carry on the old name and family, I-I think my cup will overflow." "We will ask Him to do so," said Rowena, smiling up at him. And then they went back to the fire, and talked together in low happy tones of the future, with all its golden possibilities. CHAPTER V ROWENA'S POWER You are endowed with Faculties which bear Annexed to them as 'twere a dispensation To summon meaner spirits to do their will And gather round them at their need; inspiring Such with a love themselves can never feel. Browning. "HERE you are! It's good to see you both. Now come and be introduced to my little aunt." Rowena and her husband were in the big hall of Kestowknockan, and Hector was welcoming them both in his cheerful, hearty manner. There was a group of his guests round the big fire, and tea was just beginning. Miss Ross rose from her chair behind the silver urn, and shook hands with Rowena. She was a little grey-haired woman with happy smiling eyes, but she appeared a little flustered. Something in Rowena's face made her say in a low tone to her: "Come and sit by me, Mrs. Macdonald. I have heard all about you from my cousin Hugh. You will help me. Three utter strangers have arrived to-day. Hector knows them, but I don't." Rowena took a seat by her, but Di Dunstan seized hold of her.