"Not odd at all, my lass," said old Hector. "There has been many an intermarriage between the two clans in old time. The Campbells were aye friends to our clan, and gave them shelter and protection when they were chased from their own lands and hearths in the days of Rob Roy that you have heard of."
"Those were splendid days to live in," said Marion, with enthusiasm; "a man's life was worth something in those days."
"Do you think so? I don't. I should not like to get up some fine morning and find out that the Shadbury folk had come over and carried off all my cows, and very likely burned my barns into the bargain, and, on the whole, I would rather raise sheep than steal them. But here come our friends at last—a welcome sight."
"Like the duke! Then, of course, Uncle Duncan is tall and majestic; dukes always are, I think," said Marion to herself as she hurried to the door.
Alas for her romance! There was Uncle Alick holding the horses, and a lady being helped down by a somewhat small, very wiry, and determined-looking little gentleman, with—could it be? Yes, it was—with red hair and a flowing red beard. Could that be Uncle Duncan? There was no doubt about it. She had hardly picked herself up, so to speak, after such a prodigious mental tumble, when she was folded in the arms of the lady.
"And this must be Marion, I am sure, from her likeness to Eiley. You all call her Marie, I hope."
"Sometimes," said Miss Barbara. "Eh, children, you have been a weary while away. I began to think you never were coming."
"And what did we think, Sister Baby, when we landed at the Holford station and found nobody to meet us?" said Doctor Campbell. "I thought we gave our letter plenty of time."
"That was an accident. The letter came yesterday, but nobody happened to go to the post-office," said Alick. "I met them just at the turn of the road, Baby, trudging along in doleful style."
"Aweel, 'All's well that ends well' however," said Miss Baby. "Run up to the east room, Christie, my bairn, and get ready for your supper. I am sure you must want it."