Miss McTavish sent for Mr. Traquair. He went to her with a heavy conscience, for as yet he had done nothing toward raising the ten pounds. At her first words his conscience became still more laden.
"Traquair," she said, "you mustn't tell him yet."
It was all Traquair could do to keep countenance. "Then it's fortunate I haven't," said he, "for you gave me a free hand."
"Consider it tied behind your back for the present, for a wonderful thing is going to happen."
"You wouldn't believe me when I tell you that the silly man is going to fall in love with me, and ask me to marry him!"
"Although you haven't offered me a chair, my dear," said Traquair, "I will take one."
All in a burst then, half laughing, half in a grave kind of excitement, she told her old friend how she had played housekeeper first at Brig O'Dread and later at Beem-Tay. And how, on the latter occasion, McTavish had displayed his admiration so openly that there could be but the one climax.
"And after all," she concluded, "if he thinks I'm just a housekeeper, and falls in love with me and asks me to marry him--I'd know the man was sincere--wouldn't I, Traquair?"
"It seems to me," said Traquair, "that I have never seen you so thoroughly delighted with yourself."
"That is unkind. It is a wonderful thing when a girl of position, and hedged in as I have been, finds that she is loved for herself alone and not for her houses and lands, and her almost royal debts."
"Verra flattering," said Traquair, "na doot. And what answer will you give?"
"Traquair," she said, "I'm not a profane girl; but I'm hanged if I know."
"He is a very wealthy man, and I have no doubt a very kind and honest man."
"He is a very cheeky man," smiled Miss McTavish.
"No doubt--no doubt," said Traquair; "and it would leave you to the honest enjoyment of your houses and lands, which otherwise you propose to hand over to him. Still, it is well for a Scot to be cautious."
"For a Scotch Scot," said Miss McTavish. "I should be an American Scot if I married him. He tells me they are noted for their daring."
While they were thus animatedly conversing, word came that Mr. McTavish had called in the hope of seeing Miss MacNish.
"There," said Miss McTavish, "you see! Go down to him, Traquair, and be pleasant, until I come. Then vanish."