"They do. Glenogle and Lochearn in such a spring as this leave little, I think, to be desired in the way of winsomeness. I myself feel as if I belonged here, which, I dare say, you consider great presumption on my part."
"Indeed no," said Isla, with a swift, kind glance. "I feel very glad to know that that is how you regard Achree."
"I came with a message from my mother and also, I must confess, on my own account to tell you that I have to leave Scotland for a few months."
"Oh!" said Isla, and her face unaccountably fell.
But Rosmead was not yet sufficiently acquainted with the play of its expression to understand that his news had disappointed her. Neither was he vain enough to imagine that her expression had altered because of his announcement of his impending departure.
"Where are you going?" she asked a moment later.
"Back to America. The object for which I came to this country is accomplished, and I really have no excuse for remaining longer here."
"Oh!" said Isla again, a little dully. "Somehow I imagined that you were going to settle in Scotland, though of course that was a very absurd supposition on my part."
"Not so very absurd. It is what I should like to do--what I hope to do one day. But, in the meantime, I must not forget that I am a partner in an American business and that I am expected to go back with my report."
"What report?"