“Allister has asked Shenac Dhu to be his wife,” said Shenac in a whisper.
“Is that it? No, I had not heard that, though I thought it might be—some time. You must have seen it, Shenac?”
“Seen it! the thought never came into my mind—never once—till he told me to-night.”
“Well, that’s odd, too,” said Hamish, smiling. “They say girls are quick enough to see such things. Are you not pleased, Shenac?”
“I don’t know. Should I be pleased, Hamish? I think perhaps in a little while I shall be.” Then she added, “It will make a great difference.”
“Will it?” asked Hamish. “Cousin Shenac has almost been like one of ourselves so long.”
“I suppose it is foolish, and maybe it is wrong, but it does seem to put Allister farther from us—from me, at least. He seems less our own.”
“Don’t say that, Shenac dear,” said her brother gently. “Allister can never be less than a dear and loving brother to us all. It is very natural and right that this should happen. It might have been a stranger. We all love Shenac Dhu dearly.”
“Yes,” said Shenac; “I said that to Allister.”
“And, Shenac, I am very glad this should happen. Allister will settle down content, and be a good and useful man.”