The men were lined up on the rough moorland track, Donald at their head,
and the two pipers filling their bags and fingering their chanters behind
him. Maclachlan took Margaret's rein and began to lead her mare up the
slope of the path, but the Colonel called to him and diverted his
attention, and she stopped beside me.
"Oliver," she said, "you must let me have your coat for half an hour when
we are settled in the town, so that I can mend it. The holes in it make me
shiver every time I see them."
"You are very kind, madam," said I, still dusting away, lest she should
see how my hand trembled.
"Oliver!"
She forced me to look at her now, she spoke so peremptorily, and when the
blue eyes met mine they were so clear and intent that I feared she might
read my secret.
"Smile!"
Smile! I was to smile, was I? And when our Kate got the news at the
Hanyards, the smile would die out of her eyes for ever, for Jack, dear,
splendid Jack, was the weft that had been woven into the warp of her being.
"I do not smile to order, madam," said I.
She flicked the mare sharply and cantered up to the level, whither
Maclachlan raced after her with the speed of a hound.
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