hough she had long been a
childless widow and had silvery hair. Tall and finely made, with
prominent nose and piercing eyes, she was marked by a certain
stateliness and a decided manner. She was blunt without rudeness, and
though often forceful was seldom arrogant. Careless of her dress, as
she generally was, Margaret Keith bore the stamp of refinement and
breeding.

"Ah!" she said; "I begin to feel I'm old. But will you come to
Montreal with me to-night?"

"I suppose I'd better, though the boat takes longer than the train and
I hear that the _Place Viger_ is full. I don't know anything about the
other hotels; they mightn't be comfortable."

"They'll no doubt be able to offer us all that we require, and I never
pamper myself," Mrs. Keith replied. "In fact, it's now and then a
relief to do something that's opposed to the luxuriousness of the age."

This was a favourite topic, but she broke off as a man came towards
her, carrying one or two small parcels which apparently belonged to the
girl at his side. He was a handsome man, tall and rather spare, with
dark eyes and a soldierly look. His movements were quick and forceful,
but a hint of what Mrs. Keith called swagger somewhat spoiled his
bearing. She thought he allowed his self-confidence to be seen too
plainly. The girl formed a marked contrast to him; she was short and
slender, her hair and eyes were brown, while her prettiness, for one
could not have called her beautiful, was of an essentially delicate
kind. It did not strike one at first sight, but grew upon her
acquaintances. Her manner was quiet and reserved and she was plainly
dressed in white, but when she turned and dismissed her companion her
pose was graceful. Then she handed Mrs. Keith some letters and papers.

"I have been to the post office and Captain Sedgwick made them search
for our mail," she said. "It came some time ago, but there was a
mistake through its not being addressed to the hotel."

Mrs. Keith took the letters and gave Mrs. Ashborne an English
newspaper, but the girl went on: "The bobcat has torn a hole in the
basket and I'm afraid it's trying to get at the mink."

"Tell some of the hotel people to take it out at once and see that the
basket is sent to be mended."

The girl withdrew and Mrs. Ashborne looked up. "Did I hear aright?
She said a bob-cat."

"You did. I am making a collection of the smaller American animals,
and a bob-cat is something like a big English fe