If the case had not been so near to his own hearthstone he would have chuckled.

As it was, he said good-humouredly that Mackenzie and Marion should go and bring her back.

But Mackenzie was already at that duty.

Mrs.Armour had had the presence of mind to send for Colvin; but presently, when the general spoke, she thought it better that Marion should go, and counselled returning to breakfast and not making the matter of too much importance.

This they did, Richard very reluctantly; while Marion, rather pleased than not at the spirit shown by the strange girl, ran away over the grass towards the lake, where Lali had now stopped.