Two days after, he went again--this time to buy tobacco. Annie was short with him, but he went yet again and yet sooner: these primitive people objected to strangers, he said; accustomed to him she would be friendly! he would not rest until he had gained some footing of favour with her! Annie grew heartily offended with the man. She also feared what might be said if he kept coming to the shop--where Mistress Conal had seen him more than once, and looked poison at him. For her own sake, for the sake of Lachlan, and for the sake of the chief, she resolved to make the young father of the ancient clan acquainted with her trouble. It was on the day after his rejection of the ten-pound note that she found her opportunity, for the chief came to see her. "Was he rude to you, Annie?" he asked. "No, sir--too polite, I think: he must have seen I did not want his company.--I shall feel happier now you know." "I will see to it," said the chief. "I hope it will not put you to any trouble, sir!" "What am I here for, Annie! Are you not my clanswoman! Is not Lachlan my foster-brother!--He will trouble you no more, I think." As Alister walked home, he met Sercombe, and after a greeting not very cordial on either side, said thus: "I should be obliged to you, Mr. Sercombe, if you would send for anything you want, instead of going to the shop yourself. Annie Macruadh is not the sort of girl you may have found in such a position, and you would not wish to make her uncomfortable!" Sercombe was, ashamed, I think; for the refuge of the fool when dissatisfied with himself, is offence with his neighbour, and Sercombe was angry. "Are you her father--or her lover?" he said. "She has a right to my protection--and claims it," rejoined Alister quietly. "Protection! Oh!--What the devil would you protect her from?" "From you, Mr. Sercombe." "Protect her, then." "I will. Force yourself on that young woman's notice again, and you will have to do with me." They parted. Alister went home. Sercombe went straight to the shop. He was doing what he could to recommend himself to Christina; but whether from something antagonistic between them, or from unwillingness on her part to yield her position of advantage and so her liberty, she had not given him the encouragement he thought he deserved. He believed himself in love with her, and had told her so; but the truest love such a man can feel, is a poor thing. He admired, and desired, and thought he loved her beauty, and that he called being in love with HER! He did not think much about her money, but had she then been brought to poverty, he would at least have hesitated about marrying her. In the family he was regarded as her affianced, although she did not treat him as such, but merely went on bewitching him, pleased that at least he was a man of the world.