The laird of Glenfernie stayed longer from home than, riding away, he had expected to do.

It was the latter half of August when he and Black Alan, Tam Dickson and Whitefoot, came up the winding road to Glenfernie door.

Phemie it was, at the clothes-lines, who noted them on the lowest spiral, who turned and ran and informed the household.
"The laird's coming! The laird's coming!" Men and women and dogs began to stir.
Strickland, looking from the window of his own high room, saw the riders in and out of the bronzing woods.

Descending, he joined Mrs.
Grizel upon the wide stone step without the hall door.

Davie was in waiting, and a stable-boy or two came at a run.
"Two months!" said Mrs.Grizel.