by her daughter. In the year that had elapsed since they started
under the charge of Paolo both had changed. The look of care and
anxiety, which had been heightened by the terrible events of the
two previous days, had passed from the elder lady's face, and had
been succeeded by one of contentment and happiness.

Norah showed an even greater change; she had now attained her full
height, her figure had filled out, and she stood on the threshold
of womanhood and bid fair to attain a high degree of beauty of the
type characteristic of her nationality. Her hair was dark, her
eyes gray, her expression changing rapidly from grave to gay, the
latter movement generally predominating.

"I need hardly ask, madam," Hector said as they entered the chateau,
"whether you have been comfortable here, for your face shows that
you have at least been contented with your lot as chatelaine."

"I have been more than contented, I have been very happy, Monsieur
Campbell. It has been a pleasant task indeed to be your almoner,
and to be able to carry comfort to those in distress, sympathy
and aid to those in suffering. Within the castle, nothing could
be more pleasant than our position. Captain MacIntosh has been
unwearied in his efforts to make us comfortable, and your steward
has in all cases been willing to aid me with money and counsel when
I asked for them. The proof that your goodness has been appreciated
by the tenants is that every one of them without exception has
refused to join the insurgents, and has forsaken his home in order
to come up and aid in the defence of the castle."

"That is indeed gratifying, madam; but methinks their action is due