‘No; but--but you never seem to think of me at all now, Miss Mowbray.’ ‘Nonsense!’ answered the girl, as a pleased blush came over her face. ‘And to prove my goodwill, I’ll tell you what I will do. I will let you take me for a row this evening.’ ‘Will you?’ This was said so eagerly that Laura could not help blushing again. ‘The others are going to dine at Mr. Grainger’s to-night, over at Loch Lomond side.’ ‘But I am to be with the Frasers to-night!’ exclaimed Alec in dismay. ‘Would not to-morrow night do as well?’ Then, seeing that his companion did not seem to care for this change of plans, he added: ‘But I dare say I can manage to get away by half-past eight. That would not be too late, would it? It is quite light until after nine.’ ‘I will be in the garden, then; but I must go now,’ said Laura hurriedly, as she bade him good-day. The evening went by as on leaden feet with Alec Lindsay, as he talked to Mr. Fraser, or listened to his wife’s interminable easy-going complaints about her children and her servants, and tried to appear interested, and at his ease. He could not keep the thought of the coming meeting out of his mind. With rather a lame excuse he left Mr. Fraser’s house not many minutes after the appointed time, and very soon afterwards he was gliding under the garden-wall of Glendhu. For some minutes no one was visible, and Alec began to fear that a new disappointment was in store for him. But presently a figure began to move through the shadows of the trees. It was Laura! She stepped without a word over the loose rocks and stones; then, hardly touching Alec’s outstretched hand, she lightly took her place at the stern, and met Alec’s gaze with a smile. ‘Do you know, I feel horribly guilty, and all through you,’ she said, as the boat moved swiftly out into the loch. ‘Why should it make any difference that there is no discontented fellow-creature in another boat behind us?’ asked Alec gaily. Laura shook her head, but made no reply. Leaning back in the stern she took off her hat, and let the cool breeze blow upon her face. Alec thought he had never seen her look so beautiful. The delicate curves of her features, the peach-like complexion, the melting look in her eyes, made him feel as if the girl seated near him was something more than human. ‘Don’t you think we have gone far enough?’ said Laura gently, when Alec had rowed some way in silence. He stopped, resting on his oars. ‘How still it is--and how beautiful!’ she exclaimed in the same low voice.