There was
little that he cared to tell her; but, prompted by some impulse which
may have been mere curiosity, he drew the window open and they passed
out upon the balcony.

"This reminds one of other days," said the woman, with a sigh. "Had I
known you were here, I should have dreaded to meet you, but it is very
pleasant to see you again. You have surely altered, Geoffrey. I
should hardly have expected to find you so friendly."

"I am not in the least inclined to reproach you for the past," was the
sober answer. Geoffrey was distinctly perplexed, for he had acquired a
clearer perception of Millicent's character since he left England, and
now he felt almost indignant with himself for wondering what she
wanted. Glancing at her face he was conscious of a certain pity as
well as a vague distrust, for it was evident that her life had not been
altogether smooth or her health really robust. But the fact that she
should recall the far-off days in England jarred upon him.

"It is a relief to learn that you are not angry, at least. What are
you doing over here, Geoffrey?" she asked.

"Reclaiming a valley from a river. Living up among the mountains in
the snow," was the answer.

"And you like it? You can find happiness in the hard life?"

"Better than anything I ever undertook before. Happiness is a somewhat
indefinite term, and, perhaps because I have seldom found leisure to
consider whether I am happy or not, the presumption is that I am at
least contented."

Millicent sighed and her face grew sad, while Thurston rebelled against
an instinctive conviction that she knew a wistful expression was
becoming to her and was calculated to appeal to a male observer.

"One could envy you!" she said softly, and Geoffrey, rising superior to
all critical thoughts, felt only sincere pity.

"Have you not been happy in--Canada, Millicent?" he inquired, and if
the woman noticed how nearly he had avoided a blunder, which is
distinctly probable, she at least made no sign.

"I can't resist the temptation to answer you frankly, Geoffrey," she
replied. "I have had severe trials, and some, I fear, have left their
mark on me. There are experiences after which one is never quite the
same. You heard of the financial disaster which overtook us? Yes?
Black days followed it, but Mr. Leslie has hopes of succeeding in this
country, and that will brighten the future--indirectly even--for me."

"Ah!" Geoffrey spoke with a peculiar i