of personal pride in him He is studying hard, and books--"

"Books' sir, he's got a boat fu' o' them. It isn't vera kindly taken, his
using a boat for kirk business. Some think it willna be lucky for the
rest."

"What foolishness, Willie!"

"'Deed, sir, it is just an invite to misfortune to bring the kirk into the
boats. There's naething so unlucky around them as a minister, if it be nae
a black cat, or a pair o' tongs."

Allan laughed; he could not help laughing, he was so happy. Maggie was
growing nearer to him every moment; and it was a real joy to be again upon
the sea, to feel the fresh wind blowing through his hair, and the cradling
motion of the wide swell of the waves. Early in the morning they arrived at
Pittenloch. There was the brown pier, and the blue water, and the spaces of
yellow sand, and the sea-weed and tangle all populous with birds whose
shrill cries filled the air. There were the white cottages, and the men
strolling off to the boats and the women in the open doors watching them
away.

There was the Promoters cottage. It was closed and Allan was disappointed.
Surely Maggie should have felt him coming. Every moment as he went toward
it, he expected the door to open, and a sense of unkindness was chilling
his heart, when he heard a swift, light step behind him. He turned, and
there stood Maggie. She had the dew of the sea on her face, her cheeks
were like a rose, pink and wet before sunrise. Her eyes had a glint as of
the morning star in them, she was trembling and panting with her surprise
and rapid motion.