"I am glad, sir," said Traquair presently, "to find you in so generous a disposition, for we have need of your generosity. I have it from Miss McTavish herself," he went on gravely, "that your ancestor, so far as you know, was Colland McTavish." "So far as I know and believe," said McTavish, "he was." "Did you know that Colland McTavish should have been _The_ McTavish?" asked Mr. Traquair. "It never entered my head. Was he the oldest son?" "He was," said Mr. Traquair solemnly, "until in the eyes of the _law_ he ceased to exist." "Then," said McTavish, "in every eye save that of the law I am _The_ McTavish." Mr. Traquair bowed. "Miss McTavish," he said, "was for telling you at once; but she left the matter entirely to my discretion. I have thought best to tell you." "Would the law," asked McTavish, "oust Miss McTavish and stand me in her shoes?" "The law," said Traquair pointedly, "would not do the former, and," with a glance at McTavish's feet, "the Auld Nick could not do the latter." McTavish laughed. "Then why have you told me?" he asked. "Because," said Traquair grandly, "it is Miss McTavish's resolution to make no opposition to your claim." "I see; I am to become 'The' without a fight." "Precisely," said Traquair. "Well, discretionary powers as to informing me of this were given you, as I understand, Mr. Traquair?" "They were," said Traquair. "Well," said McTavish again, "there's no use crying over spilt milk. But is your conscience up to a heavy load?" "'Tis a meeserable vehicle at best," protested Traquair. "You must pretend," said McTavish, "that you have not yet told me." "Ah!" Traquair exclaimed. "You wish to think it over." "I do," said McTavish. Both were silent for some moments. Then Traquair said rather solemnly: "You are young, Mr. McTavish, but I have hopes that your thinking will be of a wise and courageous nature." "Do you read Tennyson?" asked McTavish, apropos of nothing. "No," said Traquair, slightly nettled. "Burns." "I am sorry," said McTavish simply; "then you don't know the lines: 'If you are not the heiress born, And I,' said he, 'the lawful heir,' etc. do you?" "No," said Traquair, "I do not." "It is curious how often a lack of literary affinity comes between two persons and a heart-to-heart talk." "Let me know," said Traquair, "when you have thought it over." "I will. And now if you will put me down--?" He leaped to the ground, lifted his hat to the older man, and, turning, strode very swiftly, as if to make up for lost time, back toward the castle gate. V McTavish was kept waiting a long time while a servant took his letter of introduction to Miss MacNish, and brought back an answer from the castle. Finally, midway of a winding and shrubby short cut, into which he turned as directed by the porter, he came suddenly upon her. "Miss MacNish--?" he said.