\"Iwasindanger，andindeadlyfear。IwasafraidImightdie——notthatIfeardeath——andIwantedhelpandwarmth。IwasnotdressedasIamnow！\"
OntheinstantitcametomehowIknewherface，eventhefirsttimeIhadseenit。Iwishedtohelpheroutoftheembarrassingpartofherconfidence，soIsaid：
\"Dearie，IthinkIknow。Tellme，child，willyouputonthefrock……thedress……costumeyouworethatnight，andletmeseeyouinit？Itisnotmereidlecuriosity，mychild，butsomethingfar，farabovesuchidlefolly。\"
\"Waitformeaminute，AuntJanet，\"shesaid，assheroseup；\"I
shallnotbelong。\"Thenshelefttheroom。
Inaveryfewminutesshewasback。Herappearancemighthavefrightenedsomepeople，forshewascladonlyinashroud。Herfeetwerebare，andshewalkedacrosstheroomwiththegaitofanempress，andstoodbeforemewithhereyesmodestlycastdown。Butwhenpresentlyshelookedupandcaughtmyeyes，asmilerippledoverherface。Shethrewherselfoncemorebeforemeonherknees，andembracedmeasshesaid：
\"IwasafraidImightfrightenyou，dear。\"IknewIcouldtruthfullyreassureherastothat，soIproceededtodoso：
\"Donotworryyourself，mydear。Iamnotbynaturetimid。Icomeofafightingstockwhichhassentoutheroes，andIbelongtoafamilywhereinisthegiftofSecondSight。Whyshouldwefear？Weknow！Moreover，Isawyouinthatdressbefore。Teuta，IsawyouandRupertmarried！\"Thistimesheherselfitwasthatseemeddisconcerted。
\"Sawusmarried！Howonearthdidyoumanagetobethere？\"
\"Iwasnotthere。MySeeingwaslongbefore！Tellme，dear，whatday，orratherwhatnight，wasitthatyoufirstsawRupert？\"Sheansweredsadly：
\"Idonotknow。Alas！IlostcountofthedaysasIlayinthetombinthatdrearyCrypt。\"
\"Wasyour——yourclothingwetthatnight？\"Iasked。
\"Yes。IhadtoleavetheCrypt，foragreatfloodwasout，andthechurchwasflooded。Ihadtoseekhelp——warmth——forIfearedImightdie。Oh，Iwasnot，asIhavetoldyou，afraidofdeath。ButIhadundertakenaterribletasktowhichIhadpledgedmyself。Itwasformyfather’ssake，andthesakeoftheLand，andIfeltthatitwasapartofmydutytolive。AndsoIlivedon，whendeathwouldhavebeenrelief。ItwastotellyouallaboutthisthatIcametoyourroomto—day。Buthowdidyouseeme——us——married？\"
\"Ah，mychild！\"Ianswered，\"thatwasbeforethemarriagetookplace。
Themornafterthenightthatyoucameinthewet，when，havingbeentroubledinuncannydreaming，IcametoseeifRupertwasa’richt，I
lostremembranceo’mydreaming，forthefloorwasallwet，andthattookoffmyattention。Butlater，themornafterRupertusedhisfireinhisroomforthefirsttime，ItoldhimwhatIhaddreamt；
for，lassie，mydear，Isawyeasbrideatthatweddin’infinelaceo’eryershrood，andorange—flowersandithersinyerblackhair；an’
Isawthestarsinyerbonnyeen——theeenIlove。Butoh，mydear，whenIsawtheshrood，andkentwhatitmightmean，Iexpeckittoseethewormscrawlroundyerfeet。ButdoyeaskyermantotellyewhatItell’thimthatmorn。’Twillinterestyetoknowhowthehairto’mencanlearnbydreams。Hasheevertelltyeaughto’
this？\"
\"No，dear，\"shesaidsimply。\"Ithinkthatperhapshewasafraidthatoneorotherofus，ifnotboth，mightbeupsetbyitifhedid。
Yousee，hedidnottellyouanythingatallofourmeeting，thoughI
amsurethathewillbegladwhenheknowsthatwebothknowallaboutit，andhavetoldeachothereverything。\"
Thatwasverysweetofher，andverythoughtfulinallways，soI
saidthatwhichIthoughtwouldpleaseherbest——thatis，thetruth：
\"Ah，lassie，thatiswhatawifeshouldbe——whatawifeshoulddo。
Rupertisblessedandhappytohavehisheartinyourkeeping。\"
IknewfromtheaddedwarmthofherkisswhatIhadsaidhadpleasedher。
LetterfromErnestRogerHalbardMelton，Humcroft，Salop，toRupertSentLeger，Vissarion，LandoftheBlueMountains。
July29，1907。
MYDEARCOUSINRUPERT，WehaveheardsuchglowingaccountsofVissarionthatIamcomingouttoseeyou。Asyouareyourselfnowalandowner，youwillunderstandthatmycomingisnotaltogetherapleasure。Indeed，itisadutyfirst。WhenmyfatherdiesIshallbeheadofthefamily——thefamilyofwhichUncleRoger，towhomwewererelated，wasamember。ItisthereforemeetandfittingthatIshouldknowsomethingofourfamilybranchesandoftheirSeats。Iamnotgivingyoutimeformuchwarning，soamcomingonimmediately——infact，Ishallarrivealmostassoonasthisletter。ButIwanttocatchyouinthemiddleofyourtricks。IhearthattheBlueMountaineergirlsarepeaches，sodon’tsendthemALLawaywhenyouhearI’mcoming！
DosendayachtuptoFiumetomeetme。IhearyouhaveallsortsofcraftatVissarion。TheMacSkelpie，Ihear，saidyoureceivedherasaQueen；soIhopeyouwilldothedecentbyoneofyourownfleshandblood，andthefutureHeadoftheHouseatthat。Ishan’tbringmuchofaretinuewithme。_I_wasn’tmadeabillionairebyoldRoger，socanonlytakemymodest\"manFriday\"——whosenameisJenkinson，andaCockneyatthat。Sodon’thavetoomuchgoldlaceanddiamond—hiltedscimitarsabout，likeagoodchap，orelsehe’llwanttheveryworst——hiswygesryzed。ThatoldimageRookethatcameoverforMissMcS。，andwhombychanceIsawattheattorneyman’s，mightpilotmedownfromFiume。Theoldgentleman—by—Act—of—
ParliamentMr。BinghamTrent（Isupposehehashypheneditbythistime）toldmethatMissMcS。saidhe\"didherproud\"whenshewentoverunderhischarge。IshallbeatFiumeontheeveningofWednesday，andshallstayattheEuropa，whichis，Iamtold，theleastindecenthotelintheplace。Soyouknowwheretofindme，oranyofyourattendantdemonscanknow，incaseIamtosuffer\"substitutedservice。\"
YouraffectionateCousin，ERNESTROGERHALBARDMELTON。
LetterfromAdmiralRooketotheGospodarRupert。
August1，1907。
SIR，InobediencetoyourexplicitdirectionthatIshouldmeetMr。ErnestR。H。MeltonatFiume，andreporttoyouexactlywhatoccurred，\"withoutkeepinganythingback，\"——asyouwillrememberyousaid，I
begtoreport。
Ibroughtthesteam—yachtTrenttoFiume，arrivingthereonthemorningofThursday。At11。30p。m。IwenttomeetthetrainfromSt。Peter，due11。40。Itwassomethinglate，arrivingjustastheclockwasbeginningtostrikemidnight。Mr。Meltonwasonboard，andwithhimhisvaletJenkinson。Iamboundtosaythathedidnotseemverypleasedwithhisjourney，andexpressedmuchdisappointmentatnotseeingYourHonourawaitinghim。Iexplained，asyoudirected，thatyouhadtoattendwiththeVoivodeVissarionandtheVladikatheNationalCouncil，whichmetatPlazac，orthatotherwiseyouwouldhavedoneyourselfthepleasureofcomingtomeethim。Ihad，ofcourse，reservedrooms（thePrinceofWales’ssuite），forhimattheRed’Ungheria，andhadwaitingthecarriagewhichtheproprietorhadprovidedforthePrinceofWaleswhenhestayedthere。Mr。Meltontookhisvaletwithhim（onthebox—seat），andIfollowedinaStadtwagenwiththeluggage。WhenIarrived，Ifoundthemaitred’hotelinastuporofconcern。TheEnglishnobleman，hesaid，hadfoundfaultwitheverything，andusedtohimlanguagetowhichhewasnotaccustomed。Iquietedhim，tellinghimthatthestrangerwasprobablyunusedtoforeignways，andassuringhimthatYourHonourhadeveryfaithinhim。Heannouncedhimselfsatisfiedandhappyattheassurance。ButInoticedthathepromptlyputeverythinginthehandsoftheheadwaiter，tellinghimtosatisfythemiloratanycost，andthenwentawaytosomeurgentbusinessinVienna。Cleverman！
ItookMr。Melton’sordersforourjourneyinthemorning，andaskediftherewasanythingforwhichhewished。Hesimplysaidtome：
\"Everythingisrotten。Gotohell，andshutthedoorafteryou！\"
Hisman，whoseemsaverydecentlittlefellow，thoughheisasvainasapeacock，andspeakswithaCockneyaccentwhichissimplyterrible，camedownthepassageafterme，andexplained\"onhisown，\"
asheexpressedit，thathismaster，\"Mr。Ernest，\"wasupsetbythelongjourney，andthatIwasnottomind。Ididnotwishtomakehimuncomfortable，soIexplainedthatImindednothingexceptwhatYourHonourwished；thatthesteam—yachtwouldbereadyat7a。m。；andthatIshouldbewaitinginthehotelfromthattimeontillMr。
Meltoncaredtostart，tobringhimaboard。
InthemorningIwaitedtillthemanJenkinsoncameandtoldmethatMr。Ernestwouldstartatten。Iaskedifhewouldbreakfastonboard；heansweredthathewouldtakehiscafe—completatthehotel，butbreakfastonboard。
Weleftatten，andtooktheelectricpinnaceouttotheTrent，whichlay，withsteamup，intheroads。Breakfastwasservedonboard，byhisorders，andpresentlyhecameuponthebridge，whereIwasincommand。HebroughthismanJenkinsonwithhim。Seeingmethere，andnot（Isuppose）understandingthatIwasincommand，heunceremoniouslyorderedmetogoonthedeck。Indeed，henamedaplacemuchlower。Imadeasignofsilencetothequartermasteratthewheel，whohadreleasedthespokes，andwasgoing，Ifeared，tomakesomeimpertinentremark。Jenkinsonjoinedmepresently，andsaid，assomesortofexplanationofhismaster’sdiscourtesy（ofwhichhewasmanifestlyashamed），ifnotasanamende：
\"Thegovernorisinahellofawaxthismorning。\"
WhenwegotinsightofMeleda，Mr。Meltonsentformeandaskedmewhereweweretoland。Itoldhimthat，unlesshewishedtothecontrary，weweretoruntoVissarion；butthatmyinstructionsweretolandatwhateverporthewished。Whereuponhetoldmethathewishedtostaythenightatsomeplacewherehemightbeabletoseesome\"life。\"Hewaspleasedtoaddsomething，whichIpresumehethoughtjocular，aboutmybeingableto\"coach\"himinsuchmatters，asdoubtlesseven\"anoldhas—beenlikeyou\"hadstillsomesortofaneyeforaprettygirl。ItoldhimasrespectfullyasIcouldthatIhadnoknowledgewhateveronsuchsubjects，whichwerepossiblyofsomeinteresttoyoungermen，butofnonetome。Hesaidnomore；soafterwaitingforfurtherorders，butwithoutreceivingany，Isaid：
\"Isuppose，sir，weshallruntoVissarion？\"
\"Runtothedevil，ifyoulike！\"washisreply，asheturnedaway。
WhenwearrivedinthecreekatVissarion，heseemedmuchmilder——
lessaggressiveinhismanner；butwhenheheardthatyouweredetainedatPlazac，hegotrather\"fresh\"——IusetheAmericanterm——
again。IgreatlyfearedtherewouldbeaseriousmisfortunebeforewegotintotheCastle，foronthedockwasJulia，thewifeofMichael，theMasteroftheWine，whois，asyouknow，verybeautiful。
Mr。Meltonseemedmuchtakenwithher；andshe，beingflatteredbytheattentionofastrangegentlemanandYourHonour’skinsman，putasidethestand—offishnessofmostoftheBlueMountainwomen。
WhereuponMr。Melton，forgettinghimself，tookherinhisarmsandkissedher。Instantlytherewasahubbub。Themountaineerspresentdrewtheirhandjars，andalmostontheinstantsuddendeathappearedtobeamongstus。HappilythemenwaitedasMichael，whohadjustarrivedonthequay—wallastheoutragetookplace，ranforward，wheelinghishandjarroundhishead，andmanifestlyintendingtodecapitateMr。Melton。Ontheinstant——Iamsorrytosayit，foritcreatedaterriblybadeffect——Mr。Meltondroppedonhiskneesinastateofpanic。Therewasjustthisgooduseinit——thattherewasapauseofafewseconds。DuringthattimethelittleCockneyvalet，whohastheheartofamaninhim，literallybursthiswayforward，andstoodinfrontofhismasterinboxingattitude，callingout：
\"’Ere，comeon，the’olelotofye！’Eain’tdoneno’arm。Hehonlykissedthegal，asanymanwould。Ifyewanttocutoffsomebody’s’ed，cutoffmine。Iain’tafride！\"Therewassuchgenuinepluckinthis，anditformedsofineacontrasttotheother’scravenattitude（forgiveme，YourHonour；butyouwantthetruth！），thatIwasgladhewasanEnglishman，too。Themountaineersrecognizedhisspirit，andsalutedwiththeirhandjars，evenMichaelamongstthenumber。
Halfturninghishead，thelittlemansaidinafiercewhisper：
\"Buckup，guv’nor！Getup，orthey’llsliceye！’Ere’sMr。Rooke；
’e’llseeyethroughit。\"
Bythistimethemenwereamenabletoreason，andwhenIremindedthemthatMr。MeltonwasYourHonour’scousin，theyputasidetheirhandjarsandwentabouttheirwork。IaskedMr。Meltontofollow，andledthewaytotheCastle。
Whenwegotclosetothegreatentrancewithinthewalledcourtyard，wefoundalargenumberoftheservantsgathered，andwiththemmanyofthemountaineers，whohavekeptanorganizedguardallroundtheCastleeversincetheabductingoftheVoivodin。AsbothYourHonourandtheVoivodewereawayatPlazac，theguardhadforthetimebeendoubled。Whenthestewardcameandstoodinthedoorway，theservantsstoodoffsomewhat，andthemountaineersdrewbacktothefarthersidesandanglesofthecourtyard。TheVoivodinhad，ofcourse，beeninformedoftheguest’s（yourcousin）coming，andcametomeethimintheoldcustomoftheBlueMountains。AsYourHonouronlycametotheBlueMountainsrecently，andasnooccasionhasbeensincethenofillustratingthecustomsincetheVoivodewasaway，andtheVoivodinthenbelievedtobedead，perhapsI，whohavelivedheresolong，mayexplain：
WhentoanoldBlueMountainhouseaguestcomeswhomitiswishedtodohonour，theLady，asinthevernacularthemistressofthehouseiscalled，comesherselftomeettheguestatthedoor——or，rather，OUTSIDEthedoor——sothatshecanherselfconducthimwithin。Itisaprettyceremony，anditissaidthatofoldinkinglydaysthemonarchalwayssetmuchstorebyit。Thecustomisthat，whensheapproachesthehonouredguest（heneednotberoyal），shebends——ormoreproperlykneels——beforehimandkisseshishand。Ithasbeenexplainedbyhistoriansthatthesymbolismisthatthewoman，showingobediencetoherhusband，asthemarriedwomanoftheBlueMountainsalwaysdoes，emphasizesthatobediencetoherhusband’sguest。Thecustomisalwaysobservedinitslargestformalitywhenayoungwifereceivesforthefirsttimeaguest，andespeciallyonewhomherhusbandwishestohonour。TheVoivodinwas，ofcourse，awarethatMr。Meltonwasyourkinsman，andnaturallywishedtomaketheceremonyofhonourasmarkedaspossible，soastoshowovertlyhersenseofherhusband’sworth。
Whenwecameintothecourtyard，Iheldback，ofcourse，forthehonourisentirelyindividual，andisneverextendedtoanyother，nomatterhowworthyhemaybe。NaturallyMr。Meltondidnotknowtheetiquetteofthesituation，andsoforthatisnottobeblamed。Hetookhisvaletwithhimwhen，seeingsomeonecomingtothedoor，hewentforward。Ithoughthewasgoingtorushtohiswelcomer。Such，thoughnotintheritual，wouldhavebeennaturalinayoungkinsmanwishingtodohonourtothebrideofhishost，andwouldtoanyonehavebeenbothunderstandableandforgivable。Itdidnotoccurtomeatthetime，butIhavesincethoughtthatperhapshehadnotthenheardofYourHonour’smarriage，whichItrustyouwill，injusticetotheyounggentleman，bearinmindwhenconsideringthematter。
Unhappily，however，hedidnotshowanysucheagerness。Onthecontrary，heseemedtomakeapointofshowingindifference。Itseemedtomemyselfthathe，seeingsomebodywishingtomakemuchofhim，tookwhatheconsideredasafeopportunityofrestoringtohimselfhisowngoodopinion，whichmusthavebeenconsiderablyloweredintheepisodeoftheWineMaster’swife。
TheVoivodin，thinking，doubtless，YourHonour，toaddafreshlustretoherwelcome，haddonnedthecostumewhichallhernationhasnowcometoloveandtoacceptasadressofceremonialhonour。Sheworehershroud。Itmovedtheheartsofallofuswholookedontoseeit，andweappreciateditsbeingwornforsuchacause。ButMr。
Meltondidnotseemtocare。Ashehadbeenapproachingshehadbeguntokneel，andwasalreadyonherkneeswhilsthewasseveralyardsaway。Therehestoppedandturnedtospeaktohisvalet，putaglassinhiseye，andlookedallroundhimandupanddown——indeed，everywhereexceptattheGreatLady，whowasonherkneesbeforehim，waitingtobidhimwelcome。Icouldseeintheeyesofsuchofthemountaineersaswerewithinmyrangeofvisionagrowinganimosity；
so，hopingtokeepdownanysuchexpression，whichIknewwouldcauseharmtoYourHonourandtheVoivodin，Ilookedallroundthemstraightintheirfaceswithafixedfrown，which，indeed，theyseemedtounderstand，fortheyregained，andforthetimemaintained，theirusualdignifiedcalm。TheVoivodin，mayIsay，borethetrialwonderfully。Nohumanbeingcouldseethatshewasinanydegreepainedorevensurprised。Mr。MeltonstoodlookingroundhimsolongthatIhadfulltimetoregainmyownattitudeofcalm。Atlastheseemedtocomebacktotheknowledgethatsomeonewaswaitingforhim，andsaunteredleisurelyforward。Therewassomuchinsolence——
mindyou，notinsolencethatwasintendedtoappearassuch——inhismovementthatthemountaineersbegantostealforward。WhenhewascloseuptotheVoivodin，andsheputoutherhandtotakehis，heputforwardONEFINGER！Icouldheartheintakeofthebreathofthemen，nowclosearound，forIhadmovedforward，too。Ithoughtitwouldbeaswelltobeclosetoyourguest，lestsomethingshouldhappentohim。TheVoivodinstillkepthersplendidself—control。
RaisingthefingerputforwardbytheguestwiththesamedeferenceasthoughithadbeenthehandofaKing，shebentherheaddownandkissedit。Herdutyofcourtesynowdone，shewaspreparingtorise，whenheputhishandintohispocket，and，pullingoutasovereign，offeredittoher。Hisvaletmovedhishandforward，asiftopullbackhisarm，butitwastoolate。Iamsure，YourHonour，thatnoaffrontwasintended。HedoubtlessthoughtthathewasdoingakindnessofthesortusualinEnglandwhenone\"tips\"ahousekeeper。
Butallthesame，tooneinherposition，itwasanaffront，aninsult，openandunmistakable。Soitwasreceivedbythemountaineers，whosehandjarsflashedoutasone。ForaseconditwassoreceivedevenbytheVoivodin，who，withfaceflushingscarlet，andthestarsinherevesflamingred，sprangtoherfeet。Butinthatsecondshehadregainedherself，andtoallappearancesherrighteousangerpassedaway。Stooping，shetookthehandofherguestandraisedit——youknowhowstrongsheis——and，holdingitinhers，ledhimintothedoorway，saying：
\"Youarewelcome，kinsmanofmyhusband，tothehouseofmyfather，whichispresentlymyhusband’salso。Botharegrievedthat，dutyhavingcalledthemawayforthetime，theyareunabletobeheretohelpmetogreetyou。\"
Itellyou，YourHonour，thatitwasalessoninself—respectwhichanyonewhosawitcanneverforget。Astome，itmakesmyfleshquiver，oldasIam，withdelight，andmyheartleap。
MayI，asafaithfulservantwhohashadmanyyearsofexperience，suggestthatYourHonourshouldseem——forthepresent，atanyrate——
nottoknowanyofthesethingswhichIhavereported，asyouwishedmetodo。BesurethattheVoivodinwilltellyouhergraciousselfaughtthatshewouldwishyoutoknow。Andsuchreticenceonyourpartmustmakeforherhappiness，evenifitdidnotforyourown。
Sothatyoumayknowall，asyoudesired，andthatyoumayhavetimetoschoolyourselftowhateverattitudeyouthinkbesttoadopt，I
sendthisofftoyouatoncebyfleetmessenger。Weretheaeroplanehere，Ishouldtakeitmyself。IleavehereshortlytoawaitthearrivalofSirColinatOtranto。
YourHonour’sfaithfulservant，ROOKE。
JANETMACKELPIE’SNOTES。
August9，1907。
TomeitseemsveryprovidentialthatRupertwasnotathomewhenthatdreadfulyoungmanErnestMeltonarrived，thoughitispossiblethatifRuperthadbeenpresenthewouldnothavedaredtoconducthimselfsobadly。Ofcourse，Iheardallaboutitfromthemaids；
Teutaneveropenedherlipstomeonthesubject。ItwasbadenoughandstupidenoughforhimtotrytokissadecentyoungwomanlikeJulia，whoisreallyasgoodasgoldandasmodestasoneofourownHighlandlassies；buttothinkofhiminsultingTeuta！Thelittlebeast！OnewouldthinkthatachampionidiotoutofanEquatorialasylumwouldknowbetter！IfMichael，theWineMaster，wantedtokillhim，IwonderwhatmyRupertandherswouldhavedone？Iamtrulythankfulthathewasnotpresent。AndIamthankful，too，thatIwasnotpresenteither，forIshouldhavemadeanexhibitionofmyself，andRupertwouldnothavelikedthat。He——thelittlebeast！
mighthaveseenfromtheverydressthatthedeargirlworethattherewassomethingexceptionalabouther。ButononeaccountI
shouldhavelikedtoseeher。Theytellmethatshewas，inhertruedignity，likeaQueen，andthatherhumilityinreceivingherhusband’skinsmanwasalessontoeverywomanintheLand。ImustbecarefulnottoletRupertknowthatIhaveheardoftheincident。
Lateron，whenitisallblownoverandtheyoungmanhasbeengotsafelyaway，Ishalltellhimofit。Mr。Rooke——LordHighAdmiralRooke，Ishouldsay——mustbeareallywonderfulmantohavesoheldhimselfincheck；for，fromwhatIhaveheardofhim，hemustinhisyoungerdayshavebeenworsethanOldMorganofPanama。Mr。ErnestRogerHalbardMelton，ofHumcroft，Salop，littleknowshownearhewastobeing\"clefttothechine\"also。
Fortunately，IhadheardofhismeetingwithTeutabeforehecametoseeme，forIdidnotgetbackfrommywalktillafterhehadarrived。Teuta’snobleexamplewasbeforeme，andIdeterminedthatI，too，wouldshowgoodmannersunderanycircumstances。ButI
didn’tknowhowmeanheis。ThinkofhissayingtomethatRupert’spositionheremustbeagreatsourceofpridetome，whohadbeenhisnurserygoverness。Hesaid\"nursemaid\"first，butthenstumbledinhiswords，seemingtoremembersomething。Ididnotturnahair，I
amgladtosay。ItisamercyUncleColinwasnothere，forI
honestlybelievethat，ifhehadbeen，hewouldhavedonethe\"cleavingtothechine\"himself。IthasbeenanarrowescapeforMasterErnest，foronlythismorningRuperthadamessage，sentonfromGibraltar，sayingthathewasarrivingwithhisclansmen，andthattheywouldnotbefarbehindhisletter。HewouldcallatOtrantoincasesomeoneshouldcomeacrosstopilothimtoVissarion。
UncletoldmeallaboutthatyoungcadhavingofferedhimonefingerinMr。Trent’soffice，though，ofcourse，hedidn’tletthecadseethathenoticedit。Ihavenodoubtthat，whenhedoesarrive，thatyoungman，ifheisherestill，willfindthathewillhavetobehavehimself，ifitbeonlyonSirColin’saccountalone。
THESAME（LATER）。
IhadhardlyfinishedwritingwhenthelookoutonthetowerannouncedthattheTeuta，asRupertcallshisaeroplane，wassightedcrossingthemountainsfromPlazac。Ihurrieduptoseehimarrive，forIhadnotasyetseenhimonhis\"aero。\"Mr。ErnestMeltoncameup，too。
Teutawas，ofcourse，beforeanyofus。SheseemstoknowbyinstinctwhenRupertiscoming。
Itwascertainlyawonderfulsighttoseethelittleaeroplane，withoutspreadwingslikeabirdinflight，comesailinghighoverthemountains。Therewasahead—wind，andtheywerebeatingagainstit；
otherwiseweshouldnothavehadtimetogettothetowerbeforethearrival。
Whenoncethe\"aero\"hadbeguntodroponthenearsideofthemountains，however，andhadgotameasureofshelterfromthem，herpacewasextraordinary。Wecouldnottell，ofcourse，whatsortofpaceshecameatfromlookingatherself。Butwegatheredsomeideafromtherateatwhichthemountainsandhillsseemedtoslideawayfromunderher。Whenshegotoverthefoot—hills，whichareabouttenmilesaway，shecameonataswiftglidethatseemedtothrowthedistancebehindher。Whenquiteclose，sheroseupalittletillshewassomethinghigherthantheTower，towhichshecameasstraightasanarrowfromthebow，andglidedtohermoorings，stoppingdeadasRupertpulledalever，whichseemedtoturnabarriertothewind。
TheVoivodesatbesideRupert，butImustsaythatheseemedtoholdontothebarinfrontofhimevenmorefirmlythanRupertheldtohissteering—gear。
Whentheyhadalighted，Rupertgreetedhiscousinwiththeutmostkindness，andbadehimwelcometoVissarion。
\"Isee，\"hesaid，\"youhavemetTeuta。Nowyoumaycongratulateme，ifyouwish。\"
Mr。Meltonmadealongrodomontadeaboutherbeauty，butpresently，stumblingaboutinhisspeech，saidsomethingregardingitbeingunluckytoappearingrave—clothes。Rupertlaughed，andclappedhimontheshoulderasheanswered：
\"ThatpatternoffrockislikelytobecomeanationaldressforloyalwomenoftheBlueMountains。Whenyouknowsomethingofwhatthatdressmeanstousallatpresentyouwillunderstand。Inthemeantime，takeitthatthereisnotasoulinthenationthatdoesnotloveitandhonourherforwearingit。\"Towhichthecadreplied：
\"Oh，indeed！Ithoughtitwassomepreparationforafancy—dressball。\"Rupert’scommentonthisill—naturedspeechwas（forhim）
quitegrumpilygiven：
\"Ishouldnotadviseyoutothinksuchthingswhilstyouareinthispartoftheworld，Ernest。Theyburymenhereformuchless。\"
Thecadseemedstruckwithsomething——eitherwhatRuperthadsaidorhismannerofsayingit——forhewassilentforseveralsecondsbeforehespoke。
\"I’mverytiredwiththatlongjourney，Rupert。WouldyouandMrs。
SentLegermindifIgotomyownroomandturnin？Mymancanaskforacupofteaandasandwichforme。\"
RUPERT’SJOURNAL。
August10，1907。