"Cattanach? Oh, yes. What did he write about, did you say? Anything to sign? Or was he writing only for his own amusement to earn six-and-eightpence? Terrible fellows these lawyers--even the best of them are worth watching."
He laughed gently but quite mirthlessly, and his eyes glued themselves again to his paper, in which he at once became completely absorbed.
Isla, knitting her brows slightly, turned away to the table to glance through her father's letters, which he had not so much as touched.
Everything was in her hands. Something whispered that she, and she alone, must be the saviour of Achree.
CHAPTER III
ISLA TAKES ACTION
Isla, already dressed for a journey, took in her father's breakfast-tray next morning.
"You are surely early afield, my dear?" he said, looking at the trim figure with quick approbation.
"Yes, dear. I am going to Glasgow to see Mr. Cattanach, because I found when I started out to answer his letter that I couldn't say half I wanted."
"His letter wasn't very clear, I thought. Ask him why he doesn't learn to express himself better. I thought that was a lawyer's business. But it seems a long way to go to Glasgow to say that to him. When do you get your train?"