and conversation were American, and
Foster was sometimes puzzled by their inconsistency. He liked these
people and got on well with them, but had soon discovered that in order
to do so he must abandon his English habits and idiosyncrasies. His
neighbors often showed a certain half-hostile contempt for the customs of
the Old Country, and he admitted that had he been less acquainted with
their character, it would have been easy to imagine that Gardner's
Crossing was situated in Michigan instead of Ontario. Yet they had
rejected the Reciprocity Treaty on patriotic grounds, and in a recent
crisis had demonstrated their passionate approval of Britain's policy.
He had no doubt that if the need came they would offer the mother country
the best they had with generous enthusiasm, and nobody knew better that
their best was very good.

By and by Carmen dismissed the young men around her and summoned him with
a graceful motion of her fan. He crossed the floor, and when he stopped
close by with a bow that was humorously respectful she gave him a cool,
approving glance. Foster was twenty-eight, but looked younger. Though
he had known hardship, his face was smooth, and when unoccupied he had a
good-humored and somewhat languid air. He was tall and rather thin, but
athletic toil had toughened and strengthened him, and he had frank gray
eyes that generally smiled. A glove that looked significantly slack
covered his left hand, which had been maimed by a circular saw when he
worked in his mill.

Carmen was a blonde, but with none of the softness that often
characterizes this type of beauty. Her features were sharply cut, her
well-proportioned figure was firmly lined, and the lack of color in her
face was made up for by the keen sparkle in her eyes. As a rule, Carmen
Austin's wishes were carried out. She knew how to command, and rival
beauties who now and then ventured to oppose her soon found that her
power was unshakable.

"You haven't thought it worth while to ask for a dance yet," she
remarked, and Foster could not tell if she was offended or not.

"No," he replied, smiling, "I was afraid of getting a disappointment,
since I didn't know your plans, but only made a few engagements in case
you sent for me. One finds it best to wait your orders."

Carmen studied him thoughtfully. "You generally take the proper line;
sometimes I think you're cleverer than you look. Anyway, one isn't
forced to explain things to you. Exp