Augusta Morrison raised her eyes again, and saw that the woman was exceedingly well, though very quietly, dressed, while there was about her a distinct air of refinement. She also noticed that she possessed very remarkable hair.
Suddenly the eyes of the two women met, and the widow, a little confused for she had been staring hard, turned to look out of the window.
An hour later, when the well-dressed woman had gone out for an after-dinner stroll in the direction of the landing-stage, Mrs. Morrison inquired her name of the proprietor's wife.
"Oh!" replied the other. "She's a very nice lady from London. She has never been up here before. She's a Mrs. Pollen."
Then, referring to the visitors' book, she added: "She lives in Upper Brook Street, London. She came here about four days ago."
"She took her rooms for a fortnight," was the woman's reply. "She seems quite nice," she added.
Mrs. Morrison, of Carsphairn, agreed, and then, getting a wrap, went out into the garden where several of the other visitors were sitting on the verandah, as the dull red afterglow deepened into twilight.
With one of the women she got into conversation, and, taking the empty chair next to her, remained there chatting for nearly an hour. Then, just as darkness was falling, Mrs. Pollen, in a short skirt and carrying a little ash walking-stick, re-entered the garden and sank into a seat in the corner to rest.
Next morning after breakfast--the usual Scotch breakfast with cold grouse and scones--Mrs. Morrison again strolled out into the sunlit garden after Mrs. Pollen, and broke the ice.
At first Mrs. Pollen preserved a somewhat dignified attitude. She spoke in her best Mayfair manner, and it was apparent that she considered herself socially superior to the widow, who, by her speech, was so palpably Scotch.
"No," said Ena, "I have never been in Scotland before. I find it most delightful up here, but rather dull when one is alone, as I am."
"I, too, am alone, except for my maid," replied the widow. "But I love this place. It is so quiet and out of the world. Besides, the scenery is as grand as any in Scotland. I'm Scottish, and I've travelled the whole country through with my husband. He was always enchanted with Ardlui. Indeed," she added, "we bought a site for a home out here at the back--where one has a lovely view--but unfortunately he died before he gave the order to build the place."