u might care to remember our acquaintance."

Blake bowed. "My memory's good. When I come back I will show you your
gift as a token."

"But I shall be in England then."

"I bore that in mind. It is not very far off, and I'm a wanderer."

"Well," she said with faint confusion, "unless you hurry you will miss
your train. Good-bye and good fortune!"

He took the hand she gave him and held it a moment. "I wonder whether
your last wish will ever be realized, If so, I shall come to thank you,
even in England."

Then he turned and went out with hurried steps, wondering what had led
him to break through the reserve he had prudently determined to
maintain. What he had said might mean nothing, but it might mean much.
He had seen Millicent Graham for a few minutes in her father's house,
and afterwards met her every day during the week spent in Montreal, but
brief as their friendship had been, he had yielded to her charm. Had
he been free to seek her love he would eagerly have done so, but he was
not free. He was an outcast, engaged in a desperate attempt to repair
his fortune. Miss Graham knew this, and had probably taken his remarks
for what they were worth as a piece of sentimental gallantry, but
something in her manner suggested a doubt and the trouble was that he
did not wish her to regard them in this light. It looked as if he had
made a fool of himself, but he had promised to show her the flowers
again some day, and he carefully placed them in his pocket book.

The train was ready to start when he found Harding impatiently waiting
him on the platform and a few moments later the long cars were swiftly
rolling west.

CHAPTER VII

MRS. CHUDLEIGH GATHERS INFORMATION

It was a fine morning when Mrs. Keith sat on the saloon deck of a river
boat steaming with the ebb tide down the St. Lawrence. The terraced
heights of Quebec had faded astern; ahead a blaze of sunshine rested on
the river, up which a big liner with crowded decks and her smoke-trail
staining the clear blue sky moved majestically. To starboard dark
pinewoods, with here and there a sawmill stack, were faintly marked
upon the lofty bank; to port rose rugged hills with wooden villages at
their feet. The light wind that rippled the blue water was pleasantly
cool, and Mrs. Keith, laying down the book she had been reading, looked
about with languid enjoyment.

"I suppose I'm neglecting my opportunities, but this is very delightful
and I don't