replied Dugald sedately. Ye mind the ballad of Christie's Will—
"'O mony a time, my lord! he said,
I've stown the horse frae the sleeping loun;
But for you I'll steal a beast as braid,
For I'll steal Lord Durie frae Edinburgh town.'"
"Dugald! is it possible that you would venture to violate the privileges of the clan Macduff?"
"The privileges of a snuff of tobacco! " cried Dugald contemptuously. "Set him up for a laird! If the auld body hadna been daft, I'd hae tellt him a bit o' my mind. But bide ye easy, Mr Cameron, and ye'll see some sport. And now I think ye had better gang back and keep the leddy frae wearying. If ye want sport, there's a good breeze on the loch, and the trout will be rising at the red heckle, or ye can take a pluff at the flappers among the reeds."
Finding Lucy seated on the lawn busily engaged in sketching the leading features of Arnaboll, I followed Dugald's advice; and having taken my rod with me, rowed up the lake, declining the proffered services of Jamie Welsh. I had fished for several hours with considerable success, and was just meditating on the propriety of returning, when I was hailed from the shore; and, on looking round, perceived to my delight that the new comer was Stanley. He had observed me from the road, and, sending on his servant with the buggy to Arnaboll, had taken this short cut to learn the precise state of affairs.
I told him everything that had occurred, whereat he manifested exceeding delight.
"That fellow M'Craw, as you call him, is really a treasure. And so old Hawkins has no suspicion of any trick?"
"None in the world," said I. "He is as fully convinced of the reality of Ian Dim of Achufufurigal as you can be of your own existence. But why in a shooting-jacket, Stanley? I expected to see you as radiant as the God of War. And how many men do you propose bringing over from Fort-Albert?"
"The whole garrison," replied Stanley. "You are aware that Fort-Albert owes its existence to the brilliant imagination of your friend M'Craw. The fact is, I have a shooting-box in the neighbourhood, not six miles off; but, without some such ruse as this, I could never have got admittance to Arnaboll. But Lucy—how does she take all this mummery?"
"To tell you the truth, Stanley, I don't think that she half believes it. Ian Dhu very nearly broke down at the pass yesterday, having pitched his style of language somewhat too high; and since then I can see she has misgivings."
"Then my first business must be to disclose the whole plot to her. She cannot possibly be angry if I appear in my own character, after having submitted to disguise myself as a philosopher at her request; as, as to stratagems, they are universally considered to be as fair in love as in war."
"Especially," added I, "when fathers have flinty hearts, and preposterous prejudices against the army. I must, however, do Hawkins the justice to admit that he is considerably improved in that respect."
"One other act, then," said Stanley, "and the drama is over. But where shall I find Lucy? I must see her before I encounter the terrible Macduff."
"You observe that clump of lilacs near the water's edge? I caught a glimpse of a parasol on the other side, and I think you are certain to find her there. I shall pull ashore in this bay, and leave you for half-an-hour to make the necessary explanations."
"No fear of interruption, eh?"
"None in the world. Hawkins is looking over plans for a piggery on a gigantic scale."
Half-an-hour is but a short period for an interview between lovers, so I kept out of the way until dinner-time. I could see by the faces of every one, as I entered the drawing-room, that the most perfect satisfaction prevailed. Mr Hawkins was not only civil, but particularly courteous to Stanley, who, on the other hand, comported himself with an appearance of marked respect for his host. Lucy looked positively bewitching. She had been let into the secret, and was not going to betray it.
