Pale and agitated, Mrs Norton hurried out, followed by the Captain, for Brace's long absence had been causing them great uneasiness; but Mrs Norton's agitation increased to a painful degree as soon as she saw in what company he had: returned. Isa's state was the first consideration; and dismissing every other thought, the insensible girl was borne to a bed-room by Captain Norton, as reverently as if she had been something holy, his lip quivering as he marked in the sweet features the lineaments of the one whom he had so fondly loved. Whilst, with all a mother's care, Mrs Norton tended her, taking the first steps towards insuring the poor girl's recovery--steps but for which the services of Dr Challen, for whom McCray had directly galloped off, would have been in vain. An hour after, when Isa had begun to show signs of returning animation, her wondering eyes ranging from face to face--letting them rest longest upon the soft, motherly countenance bent over her to kiss her so tenderly--there came the sound of wheels, and Dr Challen hurried up to the bedside, to express his approval of what had been done. "And noo I must go and tell Sir Mooray," said McCray to Captain Norton. "I thought I'd get the doctor first." "I sent a groom directly you had gone," said the Captain. "'Deed and you did weel," said McCray; "but I must stay here and face him, sir, for he'll be over directly with my laird, there, like twa roarin and rampagin' lions." In effect, five minutes after, there was again the sound of rapid wheels, followed directly after by Sir Murray Gernon's voice in the hall. "How dared you to bring her here?" he exclaimed, in a hoarse, harsh voice, to his old retainer, who met him boldly on the step. "'Deed, Sir Mooray, so as to save the dear bairn's life, and not have to face ye wi' a cauld dead bodie. It was a case of seconds, Sir Mooray, and I ken ye wadna ha'e likit for me to bring the puir laddie wha savit her from drownin' to the Castle." "And who saved her?" exclaimed Sir Murray. "Hoot! Sir Mooray, naebodie else but the douce sailor laddie ye passed camin' hame, when the chaise was broke up." A bitter epithet was hissed from Sir Murray Gernon's lips, as he listened to this announcement; for to his excited imagination it seemed as if Fate were struggling against him and striving to bring together two who, could he contrive it, should be through life as far removed, to all intents and purposes, one from the other, as the two poles. Sir Murray ascended to the bed-room, and then descended to pace impatiently up and down, frowning and angry, till, after seeing his patient sink into a quiet slumber, Dr Challen gave a sigh of satisfaction, and then joined the baronet. "What?" exclaimed the doctor, after listening to Sir Murray's first remark. "She must be taken home directly," said Sir Murray. "Quite out of the question, my dear Sir Murray," said the doctor, pleasantly, as he partook of the glass of wine left upon the sideboard.