"I am not----anything. I don't know how to form an opinion. How lovely it is, to be sure," he burst out all at once; "especially to have some one to talk to. That is the great charm." "If that is all," said Oona, trying to speak cheerfully, "you will soon have dozens of people to talk to, for everybody in the county--and that is a wide word--is coming to call. They will arrive in shoals as soon as they know." "I think I shall go--in a day or two," he said. At this moment the step of Hamish, heard far off through the great stillness, interrupted the conversation. It had been as if they two were alone in this silent world; and the far-off step brought in a third and disturbed them. They were silent, listening as it came nearer and nearer, the sound growing with every repetition. When Hamish appeared in the broad white band of road coming from between the shadows of the trees the young man dropped his hand from the bow of the boat. He had not spoken again, nor did Oona feel herself disposed to speak. Hamish quickened his pace when he saw another figure on the beach. "Ye'll no' have been crying upon me, Miss Oona," he said, with a suspicious look at the stranger. "Oh no, Hamish!" cried Oona, cheerfully. "I have not been wearying at all, for this is Lord Erradeen that has been so kind as to come and keep me company." "Oh, it'll be my Lord Erradeen?" said Hamish, with a curious look into Walter's face. Then there was a repetition of the noises with which the still loch rang, the rattle of the iron ring, the grating of the bow on the shingle as she was pushed off. Hamish left no time for leave-taking. There were a few yards of clear water between the boat and the beach when Oona waved her hand to the still figure left behind. "My mother will like to see you to-morrow," she cried, with an impulse of sympathy. "Good night." He took his hat off, and waved his hand in reply, but said nothing, and stood motionless till they lost sight of him round the corner of the isle. Then Hamish, who had been exerting himself more than usual, paused a little. "Miss Oona," he said, "yon will maybe be the young lord, but maybe no. I would not be speaking to the first that comes upon the loch side----" "Oh, if you are beginning to preach propriety----" the girl cried. "It'll not be propriety, it will just be that they're a family that is not canny. Who will tell you if it's one or if it's the other? Did ye never hear the tale of the leddy that fell off the castle wall?" "But this is not the castle," cried Oona, "and I know him very well--and I'm sorry for him, Hamish. He looks so changed." "Oh, what would you do being sorry for him? He has nothing ado with us--nothing ado with us," Hamish said. And how strange it was to come in again from that brilliant whiteness and silence--the ghostly loch, the visionary night--into the ruddy room full of firelight and warmth, all shut in, sheltered, full of companionship.