"It is not convenient for me to stay in London just now," he went on after a minute, "and I am sure you must find it very disagreeable at this time of the year; and yet it is very important that I should see more of you. It is, in fact, part of the conditions under which I may be able to reveal these family secrets of yours to you. That is to say, if they should turn out to be indeed yours. I came up from the Highlands last night. I have a place on the West Coast, where at this moment I have a party of people staying with me for shooting. My sister is entertaining them in my absence, but I must get back to my duties of host. What I want to suggest is that you should pay us a visit at Inverashiel." "Thank you very much," said Juliet doubtfully. "I should love to, but--I don't know whether my father would allow me." "Your father?" exclaimed Lord Ashiel and Mr. Findlay in one breath. "Sir Arthur Byrne, I mean," she corrected herself. "You might telegraph to him," urged Lord Ashiel. "And I, myself, will write. You might mention my sister to him. I think he used to know her. Mrs. John Haviland. But, indeed, it is very important that you should come, more important than you think, perhaps." He seemed extraordinarily anxious, now, lest she should refuse. "Perhaps," suggested Mr. Findlay, "Miss Byrne would like to think over the idea, and let you know later in the day." "A very good plan," said Lord Ashiel. "Yes, of course you would like to think it over. Will you telephone to me at the Carlton after lunch? Thanks so much. Good-bye for the present." He seized his hat and stick and darted to the door. "You talk to her, Findlay!" he cried, and disappeared. Juliet and Mr. Findlay were left confronting one another. "That will be the best plan," the lawyer repeated. "Think it over, Miss Byrne. I am sure you would enjoy the visit to Scotland. Inverashiel is a most interesting old place, both historically and for the sake of its beautiful scenery. A week or two of Highland air could not fail to be of benefit to your health, even if nothing further came of it, so to speak." "I should love it," Juliet said again. "But, Mr. Findlay, I don't know Lord Ashiel, or hardly know him. How can I go off and stay with someone I never met before to-day?" "The circumstances are unusual," said the lawyer. "I fancy Lord Ashiel is anxious to lose no time. He is in bad health, poor fellow. I am afraid he will worry himself a good deal if you cannot make up your mind to go." "You see," said Juliet, troubled, "I know nothing about him. I don't know what my father--I mean, Sir Arthur would say."