glad to have the watching of them. I honour them both."

Yes, and Rachel honoured herself still more for being able to speak
all this freely and truly out of the innermost depths of her candid
heart.




CHAPTER XIV.



THE GOWANBRAE BALL.



"Your honour's pardon,
I'd rather have my wounds to heal again,
Than hear say how I got them."--Coriolanus.


"Yes, I go the week after next."

"So soon? I thought you were to stay for our ball."

"Till this time next year! No, no, I can't quite do that, thank
you."

"This very winter."