'It happened a year ago, although it seems like ten years. I was
going home from here when a young man stepped out from
behind a tree. He was beautifully dressed in red and green
clothes.'
'"Cousin Lorna, my good cousin," he said, "I'm Lord Alan
Brandir. My father was your mother's brother, and the
government made him your guardian. He's very old now, so
they've asked me to be your guardian. I've been ordered to take
care of you until you're twenty-one."'
'I was very surprised by this, because he looked so young.
"You, my guardian!" I said, and laughed. "You don't look much
older than I am!"'
'"I'm almost nineteen," he said with a laugh. "If one of the
Doones attacked me, I'd kill him easily."'
'But to me, he looked so young and thin. I was afraid for his
life here in this place.'
'"Don't be angry," he said softly. "I've travelled a long way to
find you. I know how dangerous the Doones are - I've known
men like them in the hills of Scotland. I'm not afraid of them,
so don't be afraid for me. Will you come with me and leave
this place?"'
'A storm was starting, and the sky was growing dark. There
was lightning in the sky, and thunder. I started to feel very
frightened, and thought of my grandfather. I loved him too much
to leave him.'
'"I can't go with you, Lord Alan Brandir," I said. "You're too
young, and I don't want to leave without my grandfather's
permission. Please leave immediately — it's dangerous here."'
'He took my hand and kissed it. "Dear cousin," he said, "Give
me one flower so I can remember you. Believe me — I'll come
back again soon."'
'"You will not!" cried a loud voice. Carver Doone jumped
from behind a tree and seized Alan Brandir in his arms like a cat