your sister, sir, I will see that you eat the discredit of it."
"Excuse me," interposed the Major, stepping forward. "As Ronald said, this is not the moment for quarrelling; and as you observed sir, the climax is not so far off. The runner and his men are even now coming round the hill. We saw them mounting the slope, and (I may add) your cousin's carriage drawn up on the road below. The fact is, Miss Gilchrist has been traced to the hill; and as it secretly occurred to us that the quarry might be her objective, we arranged to take the ascent on this side. See there!" he cried, and flung out a hand.
I looked up. Sure enough, at that instant a grey-coated figure appeared on the summit of the hill, not five hundred yards away to the left. He was followed closely by my friend of the moleskin waistcoat; and the pair came sidling down the slope towards us.
"Gentlemen," said I, "it appears that I owe you my thanks. Your stratagem in any case was kindly meant."
"There was Miss Gilchrist to consider," said the Major stiffly.
But Ronald cried, "Quick, St. Ives! Make a dash back by the quarry path. I warrant we don't hinder."
"Thank you, my friend: I have another notion. Flora," I said, and took her hand, "here is our parting. The next five minutes will decide much. Be brave, dearest; and your thoughts go with me till I come again."
"Wherever you go, I'll think of you. Whatever happens, I'll love you. Go, and God defend you, Anne!" Her breast heaved, as she faced the Major, red and shame-fast, indeed, but gloriously defiant.
"Quick!" cried she and her brother together. I kissed her hand and sprang down the hill.
I heard a shout behind me; and, glancing back, saw my
