"Did you ever see it from the top of Hampstead heath?"
"I have been there several times, but I don't remember seeing London from it. We don't go to London for the sights."
"Then you have not seen London!"
Mercy was annoyed. Ian did not notice that she was, else perhaps he would not have gone on—which would have been a pity, for a little annoyance would do her no harm. At the same time the mood was not favourable to receiving any impression from the region of the things that are not seen. A pause followed.
"It is so delightful," said Ian at length, "to come out of the motion and the heat and the narrowness into the still, cold greatness!"
"You seemed to be enjoying yourself pretty well notwithstanding,
Captain Macruadh!"
"What made you think so?" he asked, turning to her with a smile.
"You were so merry—not with me—you think me only a stupid lowland girl; but the other young persons you danced with, laughed very much at things you said to them."
"You are right; I did enjoy myself. As often as one comes near a simple human heart, one's own heart finds a little room."
Ere she knew, Mercy had said—