When Salome entered her own bed-chamber, she found the old housekeeper, Girzie Ross, awaiting her.
"I took the liberty, me leddy, to come to see ye, gin ye hae ony commands for me the night," said the dame, courtesying.
"No, Mrs. Ross, I have no orders to give. All is done, as I understand. If there be anything left undone, you will use you own discretion about it. I can thoroughly trust you," said Salome.
"Guid-night, then, me leddy. And a guid rest and a blithe waking till ye," said the dame, courtesying again, and turning to leave the room.
"One moment, Mrs. Ross, if you please," said the young lady, gently arresting her steps.
"Ay, me leddy, as mony as ye'll please," promptly replied the dame, returning to her place.
"I wish to ask you a question," began Salome, in a slow and hesitating manner. "Have you seen or heard anything more of that girl, Mrs. Ross?"
"Meaning that ne'er-do-weel light o' love Rose Cameron, me leddy!" inquired the housekeeper.
"Yes, Rose Cameron. There have been such crowds of people on the island today to inspect the decorations, that I thought—I thought—"
"As that handsome jaud might be amang 'em, me leddy? Ou, ay, and sae she waur! But when I caught her prowling about here, I sent Mr. McRath to warn her off the place, and threaten her wi' the constable gin she didna gang!" said the housekeeper.