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458 the night upon the hills without the means of paying attention to his toilet. To tell the truth, though without the more regular beauty of his friend's features, he was really a very good-looking young fellow, and need not have greatly troubled himself on that score. There are lanky-haired men who can never show to advantage unless they carry a pocket-comb and a stick of cosmetic about with them. As for Venables, he curled slightly like a well-bred spaniel, and could dispense with brush and comb upon occasion; the open collar of his flannel shirt set off a well-shaped neck to advantage, and the folds of a well-hung kilt did justice to his active figure; while a morning plunge in the cold depths of Lochrosque had effaced every sign of fatigue and over-excitement. And the more portly Leslie, who, moreover, had never a trace of self-consciousness about him, carried himself naturally with an easy and high-bred air, that rose superior and indifferent to external circumstances. He would have looked the gentleman all the same, either in the solemn dignity of a Court suit and ruffles, or unpacked from the miscellaneous contents of a third-class carriage after a through-journey by oriental express from Calais to Constantinople.

First impressions go for a great deal after all, and in this case the first impressions were mutually agreeable. Of course I do not mean to hint for a moment that Miss Moray fell in love at first sight with either of her cousins, and far less with both of them. All I say is, that she saw no just cause or impediment why she should not feel for both, or either, the warmest cousinly regard. As for the young men, I should be sorry to speak so confidently. Jack Venables was impressionable, and he knew it; and falling in love at first sight, on smaller provocation, was no very novel sensation with him. While Leslie, who had no experiences of the kind, and whose processes of thought were rather sure than swift, would have been incapable, in his innocent ignorance, of analysing any similar impulse.

"Now make haste and shift yourselves, my good boys, as we say in these parts," exclaimed Moray, entirely himself again, and beaming all over with cordiality. "Grace ought never to have such a chance again of knowing what is meant by Highland appetites."

The good boys responded nobly to the appeal. The broiled trout and the kippered salmon vanished as by enchantment. Bacon followed, crisp from the fender, arranged before the glowing fire of peat that corrected the freshness of the air from the open windows. Justice was done to a certain savoury grill; and some eggs were thrown in casually to fill the chinks, before the party proceeded to trifle with oatcakes, barley scones, and preserves. Glenconan himself gave his nephews a lead across the table, making occasional casts by the sideboard and fireplace; while Grace, who was a maiden of mortal mould, kept the three gentlemen modestly in countenance. She was blessed with a healthy appetite, and felt no false scruples as to satisfying it. But when the meal was drawing to a close, and the men were playing with their teacups, Moray lay back in his chair and begged Venables to resume his story.

"The fact is," he remarked in brief apology, "that, being bothered over Grace, who was worrying herself very foolishly, I fear I cut you uncivilly short. You see, I saw you were both sound in wind