Maurice Tredego went quite white , then recovering himself with an effort , he said : All right , Miss Patterson , leave us , I'll call you if I need you . The young woman went out with a reproachful glance at the intruder . His left eye closed in a wink which brought a protesting squeak from her , then she flounced out banging the door to behind her . ' Not content with invading my privacy you try to demoralize my staff , " said Tredego . ' What is it you want ? ' You know just as well as I do . ' The intruder perched himself on the arm of the chair where Tredegar's clients usually sat . ' I want to know why I was not informed of the contents of my uncle's will ... ' ' We have been trying to get in touch with you , Jerry , for some time , ' Tredego replied . ' But it's almost impos sible to keep touch with your different places of abode . ' " And that's a damned lie , cried Jerry McGurtrie . You knew where I was you've known all along , I kept you informed and under what na

I thought one of the conditions arranged of the will was that both Donald and I should have an equal chance with the heiress . " Oh , that is easily arranged , Tredegar made haste to assure him . ' A letter from you saying that you are not interested ... ' " But I am , ' interposed Jerry . I'm distinctly intrigued . I want to meet this girl who is letting her future be for her . It will be interesting to see the type of female who'll be quite content to stay up at Kilrossan with Donald . Don't tell me she has fallen in love with him . It must be because she's met no other men . ' ' Er - ahem . I think I can say that I know her fairly well , ' Tredegar pointed out . " And I must say that consider your brother will suit her . She isn't the sort of girl to appreciate a man of the world . I am sure she prefers the quiet studious kind ... ' If that is so you have no reason to fear me going up there and making her acquaintance . She would probably choose him in any case ...

 I've nothing to complain of ... She blushed and cast down her eyes . ' We'll be gettin ' a baire come Michaelmas , " she added in an embarrassed tone . " That's great . Mind you ask me to stand godfather. Will you take me across to Kilrossan in your boat? ' The tall fair - haired young fellow nodded dourly . Yeah, he replied , being a man of few words . The crossing was as rough as usual , but Jerry did not mind it ; he had been born and brought up at Kilrossan and a rough sea was as familiar to him as a suburban street to other men . He took a hand at the oars , and he pulled across and landed to the right of the rocks . ' Go up to the house and ask Miss Margaret for something to eat , ' said Jerry as he leaped agilely out of the boat and helped Duncan drag it across the sand . " You needn't say you've brought me over . I want to surprise them . " He set off across the rocky ground towards the creek on the other side of the castle , his hands thrust into his p

Very kind of you . ' She spoke a little breathlessly.  You understand I - I am staying with relations , and and ... " Don't worry , I won't get in the way , he retorted , amused at her flounderings . The funny little soul was so transparent if she did but realize it . It would not be easy for her to hide anything . She was afraid that Donald would resent a stranger , as he very probably would . But Donald was going to get the shock of his life presently . " I haven't congratulated you yet on your very good fortune , ' Jerry said . " What are you going to do with all that money ? ' " It - it will mostly be spent on the estate , I suppose , ' she replied . ' Really I ' t given it a thought . But it's nice to be able to buy what I want and not feel I've got to economize on something else . Nice " is rather a tame expression to use , ' he laughed . ' I expected to find you much more enthusiastic . Big Eyes , you seem to have lost your enthusiasm for a lot of things . Are yo

 Jerry McGurtrie was fishing ; he had come out in the boat with Fergus , the piper's son , because he wanted to get away from the rest of his family , and think out his course of action in the immediate future . He had now been at Kilrossan a week , and the time had come to decide what he was going to do . Should he stand aside and leave Donald a free field with the heiress , or should he marry her himself ? Although Lucy had tried to avoid him on every possible occasion since his arrival at the castle , he knew that he had only to exert himself and he could take her from his brother . She was not adept at hiding her feelings and he was quite sure that she was in love with him . Their first meeting had been a most romantic one , and all she had heard of him since had done nothing to dispel her first impression . He was the prodigal son ; the ne'er - do - well ; the adventurer who refused to conform to the McGurtrie pattern and lead a conventional life - all attr