The Highland monthly - National Library of Scotland

582 7he Highland Monthly.
One human soul will thus be rescued from cruel unhappiness
; that is all I desire, one result that will give me
happiness.
" In the event of your deciding upon the experiment,
the results of which I guarantee, you must at once cojne to
me. My address lies at the Post-Ofifice awaiting your
pleasure for not moi-e than ten days.
" Should the powder not be used, then I desire you to
bnrn it with all dispatch ; for on no account would I risk
this great and revolutionising secret to discovery, except
that I was convinced of your implicit honour."
Richard read the letter twice throuc^h, slowly and
deliberately ; and the more he read and realised its meaning,
the more apparent became the agitation under which
he laboured. Then he threw the paper—carefully written
it was, and slightly scented—from him with a gesture of
worry and impatience, and went to the window—one on
the third story of the castle, and commanding an extensive
view of the firth, and the diversified, mountainous country
beyond, until the eye rested upon the snow-capped heights
of Ross and Sutherland. It was a beautiful morning. A
sloop in full sail was beating down seawards before the
fre.sh but somewhat unfavourable breeze ; several fishing
boats from Cromarty lay to in search of herring ; and the
slanting rays of the sun threw charming tints on water and
headland. The whole formed a superb picture. He had
chosen this room for the magnificence of the panorama, for,
untutored as they were, he had some artistic sensibilities ;
but the mind must be responsive to Nature to appreciate its
moods ; and while the scene before him was calm and
peaceful, a mental storm raged fiercely within him. His
face grew paler still, his features were drawn, his mouth
hard set. Turning away from the window, he resumed his
former seat, and placed his face between his hands.
The laird was right ; for a week past Richard had been
retired and thoughtful to a measure that even surprised
himself With no responsibilities to draw him out, he had