Macgregor gazed after the retreating burly figure. Never before had he seen his uncle nervous. Was Aunt Purdie not so well? It was news to hear of her napping in the middle of the day. Then a likelier explanation dawned on Macgregor, and he smiled to himself. Uncle Purdie had been too shy to mention it, and now he had retired simply to allow of Christina's coming down by herself. So Macgregor prepared to meet his love. And while he meditated, his aunt and uncle appeared together. 'Yer aunt'll explain,' said Mr. Purdie, looking most unhappy. 'I couldna dae it.' 'How do you do, Macgregor?' said Aunt Purdie, shaking hands with stiff kindliness. 'I am delighted to perceive you in Aberdeen. But what a deplorable catastrophe!--what a dire calamity!--what an ironical mishap!----' 'She means----' began Mr. Purdie, noting his nephew's puzzled distress. 'Hush, Robert! Allow me. I must break it gently to the boy. What a cruel fiascio!--what a vexatious disappintment!----' 'Whaur's Christina?' Macgregor demanded. 'Courage, boy!' said Aunt Purdie in lofty tones. 'Remember you are a sojer--soldier--of the Queen--or rather, King!' 'But----' 'Christina left for Glasgow per the 1.10 p.m. train, one short hour before you arrived.' 'Weel, I'm----' 'She decided very suddenly this morning. She did not hand me the letter, or p.c., for my perusual, but I understood her to observe that Miss Tod was not feeling so able and desired her presence. We were real sorry to let her go----' 'Ma impression,' Mr. Purdie put in, 'is that she was wearyin' for her lad. But for ill-luck this is the maist confounded, dampest----' 'Robert, behave yourself!' 'Weel, it's a fair sickener. But there's nae use talkin' aboot it. Come awa', lad, an' ha'e something to eat. Ye canna keep up yer heart on a toom kyte.' They were very kind to him and pressed him to remain overnight, but he was bent on leaving by the 3.40 express, which is due at Glasgow about 7.30. With good luck, he told himself, he might catch Christina at Miss Tod's. Meanwhile youth and health compelled him to enjoy his dinner, during which Aunt Purdie insisted on refunding the cost of his futile journey. 'Ye're ower guid to me,' he said awkwardly. 'Not at all, not at all, Macgregor. It is quite unmentionable,' she returned with a majestic wave. 'Robert, give Macgregor some of your choice cigars.' In the train he smoked one of them, but finding it a trifle heady, preserved the rest for presentation to his sergeant, whom he greatly admired. * * * * *