"I meant nae harm, Maggie."

"I'll no answer you anither word. And mind what I told you. Dinna cross my
doorstane. You'll get the red face if you try it." She could have shut the
door, but she would have thought the act a kind of humiliation. She
preferred to stand guard at its threshold, until Angus, with a black scowl
and some muttered words of anger, walked away. She watched him until he
leaped into his boat; until he was fairly out to sea. Then she shut and
barred the door; and sitting down in her father's chair, wept
passionately; wept as women weep, before they have learned the uselessness
of tears, and the strength of self-restraint.



CHAPTER III.

THE CAMPBELLS OF MERITON.


"We figure to ourselves
The thing we like, and then we build it up
As chance will have it, on the rock or sand."

"About some act,
That has no relish of salvation in it."


Upon the shores of Bute, opposite the rugged, heathery hills of Cowal,
John Campbell had built himself a splendid habitation. People going up and
Down the Kyles were in the habit of pointing out Meriton Mansion, and of