r to see us yet?"

"As a matter of fact, I didn't intend to call, and it was rather
against my wishes that we came up here," said Millicent with the candor
of an old acquaintance. "You were not very cordial when I last saw
you, and I can't help a feeling that you are all of you prejudiced
against me."

Quite unembarrassed Marian looked at her with a reflective air. "Yes,"
she admitted, "to some extent that's true. We're closely connected
with the Thurstons, and I've no doubt we make rather intolerant
partisans. After all, it's only natural that we sympathize with
Geoffrey. Besides--you can make what you like of it--he was always a
favorite of mine. I suppose you haven't heard from him since he went
to Canada?"

"Would you have expected him to write?"

Marian smiled. "Perhaps it would have been unreasonable, but taking it
for granted that he hasn't been communicative, I've a piece of news for
you. Some Canadian tourists stayed a night at the Ghyll, two or three
months ago, and it seems they met him in British Columbia. I
understand he is by no means prosperous, but at least getting a footing
in the country, and the people apparently have rather a high opinion of
him. Did I mention that one of the party was a girl?"

She saw the quickened interest in Millicent's eyes. With assumed
indifference in her voice Millicent asked: "What kind of people were
they?"

"The girl was handsome--well-finished, too. In fact, she struck me as
rather an imperious young person of some consequence in the place she
came from. She would pass in any circle that you or I are likely to
get an entry to. I don't know whether it's significant, but I
understand from Margery that she took some interest in Musker's stories
of the Thurstons."

There was nothing to show whether Millicent was pleased with this or
not. She did not speak for a moment or two.

"Did they mention what Geoffrey had been doing?" she inquired presently.

"Chopping down trees for sawmills, or something of the kind. The man
said Geoffrey had evidently been what they call 'up against it' until
lately when he seems to have got upon his feet. It will probably
convince you that you were perfectly right in not marrying him."

This time Millicent laughed. "It wouldn't have counted for much with
you?"

Marian looked at her with unwavering eyes. "No," she replied, "if I'd
had any particular tenderness for Geoffrey it certainly wouldn't have
had the least ef