“I was at the Bridge of Grannoch this day,” began the minister at last.  “I was on my way to visit a parishioner, but I do not conceal from you that I also made it my business to observe your walk and conversation.”

“By what right do you so speak to me?” began Ralph, the hotter blood of his mother rising within him.

“By the right given to me by your father to study your heart and to find out whether indeed it is seeking to walk in the more perfect way.  By my love and regard for you, I hope I may also say.”

The minister paused, as if to gather strength for what he had yet to say.  He leaned his head upon his hand, and Balph did not see that his frail figure was shaken with some emotion too strong for his physical powers, only kept in check by the keen and indomitable will within.

“Ralph, my lad,” Allan Welsh continued, “do not think that I have not foreseen this; and had jour father written to inform me of his intention to send you to me, I should have urged him to cause you to abide in your own city.  What I feared in thought is in act come to pass.  I saw it in your eyes yestreen.”

Kalph’s eyes spoke an indignant query.

“Ralph Peden,” said the minister, “since I came here, eighteen years ago, not a mouse has crept out of Craig Ronald but I have made it my business to know it.  I am no spy, and yet I need not to be told what happened yesterday or to-day.”

“Then, sir, you know that I have no need to be ashamed.”

“I have much to say to you, Ralph, which I desire to say by no means in anger.  But first let me say this:  It is impossible that you can ever be more to Winifred Charteris than you are to-day.”

“That is likely enough, sir, but I would like to know why in that case I am called in question.”  “Because I have been, more than twenty years ago, where you are to-day, Ralph Peden, I—­even I—­ have seen eyes blue as those of Winsome Charteris kindle with pleasure at my approach.  Yes, I have known it.  And I have also seen the lids lie white and still upon these eyes, and I am here to warn you from the primrose way; and also, if need be, to forbid you to walk therein.”

His voice took a sterner tone with the last words.

Ralph bowed his head on the table and listened; but there was no feeling save resentment and resistance in his heart.

The minister went on in a level, unemotional tone, like one telling a tale of long ago, of which the issues and even the interests are dead and gone.

“I do not look now like a man on whom the eye of woman could ever rest with the abandonment of love.  Yet I, Allan Welsh, have seen ‘the love that casteth out fear.’”

After a pause the high, expressionless voice took up the tale.