From Carslogie he learned that 'she was looking well and jolly,' as he phrased it. When Allan rejoined he would hear more of her, he hoped; but Allan's sick leave was protracted from time to time, and none seemed to know _when_ he would be with the regiment again. Once these parted lovers saw each other but for a moment only! Accompanied by a groom, Eveline rode at a canter past him on a lonely part of the road near Maviswood, her eyes full of unshed tears, her face pale with resentment, and her veil in her teeth. Past him, as if he was a stranger! 'Why stop to speak or expect an explanation?' thought the girl. 'In this world do not actions speak louder a thousand times than words can ever do?' She was a Graham of Dundargue, and would show him that she was not of the kind of stuff that facile Amelias or patient Griseldas are made! Yet to pass him by thus, cost her a mighty effort, though to Eveline it seemed that there was nothing left for her now 'but to wrestle valiantly with that pain which, in the world's eye, degrades the woman who smarts under it--the pain of an unshared love.' CHAPTER X. 'THE MYSTERIES OF UDOLPHO.' 'Young Stratherroch seems to have accepted the situation. He is much too sharp and well-bred a man not to have seen that he was--well--in the way rather,' said Lady Aberfeldie to her husband one afternoon. 'One thing is certain at least, he has ceased to visit here.' 'Dropped out of the hunt--yes,' assented the peer, as he filled and lit his briar-root. 'Poor fellow! he was--or is--undoubtedly fond of our little girl.' 'Such fondness was folly in one so poor; and now, as Sir Paget comes to-day, I do not see why we should not have the two marriages at once. I am most anxious to have all this fuss ended and done with.' 'There are several deeds to draw and so forth in the matter of Allan and Olive; and as for Eveline she has not yet consented.' 'She must do so now, I presume,' said Lady Aberfeldie, impatiently wafting aside with her white hand a cloud of smoke the peer was creating. 'Both marriages,' said he, reflectively; 'but how if the regiment goes on foreign service--and the corps expects orders of readiness daily, I understand?' 'Allan can send in his papers.' 'Impossible! You do not consider what you say.' 'He is not well enough to go abroad.' 'He is too well to remain behind; and if well enough to marry I fear that F.M. the Commander-in-Chief will deem him well enough to march.' 'Anyway it will secure Olive's fortune in the family.' 'It is secured as it is by her father's will so long as Allan is willing to consent; but as our loving daughter-in-law, there will be no necessity for the enforcement of the clause that is so grotesque. As regards Sir Paget and Eveline----' 'Leave me to manage Eveline,' said Lady Aberfeldie, bluntly and loftily.