Miss Midharst had forgotten the baronet in the allegory, and was thinking only of the lion; so that when Mrs. Grant triumphantly said, "I told you so," Maud believed Mrs. Grant was contemplating the same image as herself--that is, her own disappearance down the lion's throat. So that Maud smiled and said: "Fortunately there are very few lions in this part of the world, and one very seldom gets loose." "On the contrary, there are very many lions in this part of the country, and they all go about seeking whom they may devour." Michael the servant entered, and announced, "Sir William Midharst and Mr. Grey." "You will see Mr. Grey first, of course, Maud?" said Mrs. Grant, in a low voice. Miss Midharst looked perplexed, and by way of reply said: "Why?" "Oh, you will surely see your guardian before a man you met only yesterday?" "Don't you think it would look strange, Mrs. Grant, if I did not see my cousin before Mr. Grey?" "Certainly not. Mr. Grey was appointed to take care of you. He has known you since you were a child, and you owe him every respect," said Mrs. Grant, speaking so low that Michael could not hear. Her manner was very earnest. "But Sir William is my kinsman, and, Mrs. Grant, you and I are his guests in this place. You really would not have the owner of this place wait while I, his guest, received even my guardian? No; my cousin must come first. Michael, ask Sir William to walk this way." As soon as the door closed on the servant, the girl turned to Mrs. Grant, and said: "Will you see Mr. Grey and apologise for delaying him? Please do, Mrs. Grant." As the new owner of Island Castle entered the room he met Mrs. Grant going out. When greetings and ordinary formalities had been disposed of, and the cousins were alone, the man spoke. "I had an interview with Mr. Grey yesterday evening, and I am glad to say that I found him most reasonable and agreeable. I had two things to speak to him about, neither of which was likely to please him, and he behaved admirably." "I am sure the more you meet him the more you will like him," said Maud, looking up thankfully to her cousin's face. She felt herself under a personal obligation to her cousin for his frank approval of so old and valuable a friend of her father and herself. The desire to be governed, common to all women, had suddenly sprung up in her nature when her cousin spoke to her last evening of his claims upon the guardianship of his only cousin, and she was now greatly relieved to find respect to the wishes of her father's successor did not clash with fealty to her father's only friend, one on whom she looked as having a strong claim upon her regard and attention. Sir William did not seem to hear her words. He was standing at the window looking down on the Weeslade with dreamy inattentive eyes.