"You have forgotten, of course, that I told you I was a bridge-builder. Why should you remember it?" he asked lightly. "I came over to meet the engineers and the contractors who have to do with your splendid bridges here, and in the fall I shall have to go down south, where my firm has undertaken to build one of the biggest cantilever bridges in the world."
"Oh!" said Isla a third time. "And you will not come back?"
"I hope that I shall return later in the year--probably to spend Christmas with my mother and sisters."
"They will remain here, then? You wish to extend the term of your tenancy of Achree? Do you remember it was to be for six months?"
"With the option of remaining for a year. That was made very clear, I think, at the beginning, and, as I said, my mother will not be easily ousted from Achree. She is of Scottish parentage, you know. Her mother was a Farquharson, so she imagines that she has a special claim on Scotland. Happily your brother does not mind the extension."
A sort of chill fell on Isla at mention of Malcolm's name, though why she could not have told. She had no fear that he had not made himself pleasant or agreeable at Achree; but, somehow, disaster seemed to associate itself with his name. She feared to pursue the subject. But Rosmead, quite unaware of her feeling in the matter, none of the gossip of the Glen having reached his ears, went on quietly.
"We've had several long talks about it, and practically it is arranged that we take the place on a two years' lease."
"You have arranged that with Malcolm!" she said a little faintly.
"Yes," said Rosmead. "He has been most kind about it. He tells me he has resigned his commission on account of his father's health but that he intends and hopes to get some estate management. I appreciate his kindness to us all the more on that account."
Isla, who heard all this for the first time, felt a natural thrill of indignation because she had been kept in the dark.