"I shall send the carriage to the wharf for you," said Madame De Lacy, "and you will come right home to me, and you, too, Miss Raymond."Ranald took his place in the stern with Maimie reclining in the canoe so as to face him.
"You are sure you are comfortable," he said, with anxious solicitude in his tone.
"Quite," she replied, with a cosy little snuggle down among the cushions placed around her.
"Then let her go," cried Ranald, dipping in his paddle.
"Good by," cried Kate, waving her hand at them from the rock.
"We'll meet you at the wharf. Take good care of your invalid, Ranald."With hardly a glance at her Ranald replied: "You may be sure of that," and with a long, swinging stroke shot the canoe out into the river. For a moment or two Kate stood looking after them, and then, with a weary look in her face, turned, and with the lieutenant, followed Madame De Lacy and Mr. Sims.
"You are tired," said the lieutenant, looking into her face.
"Yes," she replied, with a little sigh, "I think I am tired."The paddle home was all too short to Ranald, but whether it took minutes or hours he could not have told. As in a dream he swung his paddle and guided his canoe. He saw only the beautiful face and the warm light in the bright eyes before him. He woke to see Kate on the wharf before them, and for a moment he wondered how she came there. Once more, as he bore her from the canoe to the carriage, he felt Maimie's arms clinging about his neck and heard her whisper, "You will not leave me, Ranald," and again he replied, "No, I will not leave you."Swiftly the De Lacy carriage bore them through the crooked, climbing streets of the city and out along the country road, then up a stately avenue of beeches, and drew up before the stone steps, of a noble old chateau. Once more Ranald lifted Maimie in his arms and carried her up the broad steps, and through the great oak-paneled hall into Madame De Lacy's own cosy sitting-room, and there he laid her safely in a snug nest of cushions prepared for her.
There was nothing more to do, but to say good by and come away, but it was Harry that first brought this to Ranald's mind.
"Good by, Ranald," said Maimie, smiling up into his face. "Icannot thank you for all you have done to-day, but I am sure Madame De Lacy will let you come to see me sometimes.""I shall be always glad to see you," said the little lady, with gentle, old-fashioned courtesy, "for we both owe much to you this day.""Thank you," said Ranald, quietly, "I will come," and passed out of the room, followed by Harry and Kate.
At the great hall door, Kate stood and watched them drive away, waving her hand in farewell.
"Good by," cried Harry, "don't forget us in your stately palace,"but Ranald made no reply. He had no thought for her. But still she stood and watched the carriage till the beeches hid it from her view, and then, with her hand pressed against her side, she turned slowly into the hall.
As the carriage rolled down the stately avenue, Ranald sat absorbed in deepest thought, heeding not his companion's talk.
"What's the matter with you, Ranald? What are you thinking of?" at last cried Harry, impatiently.
"What?" answered Ranald, in strange confusion, "I cannot tell you."Unconsciously as he spoke he put up his hand to his neck, for he was still feeling the pressure of those clinging arms, and all the way back the sounds of the rolling wheels and noisy, rattling streets wrought themselves into one sweet refrain, "You will not leave me, Ranald," and often in his heart he answered, "No, I will not," with such a look on his face as men wear when pledging life and honor.
