l questions,
and he saw that she wished to hear his story. By degrees he lost
himself in his subject and, being gifted with keen imagination, she
followed his journey into the wilds. It was not his wish to represent
himself as a hero, and now and then he spoke with deprecatory humour,
but he betrayed something of his character in doing justice to his
theme. Millicent's eyes sparkled as she listened, for she found the
story moving; he was the man she had thought him, capable of grim
endurance, determined action, and steadfast loyalty.

"So you carried your crippled comrade when you were exhausted and
starving," she said when he came to their search for the factory. "One
likes to hear of such things as that! But what would you have done if
you hadn't found the post?"

"I can't answer," he said soberly. "We durst not think of it; a
starving man's will gets weak." Then his expression grew whimsical.
"Besides, if one must be accurate, we dragged him."

"Still," said Millicent softly, "I can't think you would have left him."

He looked at her with some embarrassment and then smiled. "I'm
flattered, Miss Graham, but you really haven't very strong grounds for
your confidence in me."

Supposing he was thinking of his disgrace, she made a gesture of half
scornful impatience.

"Well," she said, "please go on with the tale."

The rest of it had its interest, though he made no reference to
Clarke's treachery, and Millicent listened with close attention. It
was growing dark, but they had forgotten to ring for lights; neither of
them heard the door open when he was near the conclusion, and Mrs.
Keith, entering quietly with Mrs. Foster, stopped a moment in surprise.
The room was shadowy, but she could see the man leaning forward with an
arm upon the table and the girl's intent face. There was something
that pleased her in the scene. Then as she moved forward Millicent
looked up quickly and Blake rose.

"So you have come back," said Mrs. Keith, giving him her hand. "How
was it you didn't go straight to Sandymere, where your uncle is eagerly
waiting you?"

"I sent him a telegram as soon as the steamer was boarded, but on
landing found there was an earlier train. As he won't expect me for
another two hours, I thought I'd like to pay my respects to you."

"It sounds plausible," Mrs. Keith rejoined with rather dry amusement.
"Well, I'm flattered, and as it happens I've something to say to you."

Then Mrs. Foster j