identity.

"Just so. Flo has come to tell us, Mr Redding, that supper is ready,
so, if you will condescend to accept of our rough and ready hospitality,
we shall be delighted. But, before going, pray let us finish this
matter. You were about to say--"

"Oh, nothing,--nothing worth mentioning," said Redding hurriedly,
endeavouring to recover himself; "I merely--the fact is--that--a rock
like this is so--so utterly insignificant that the idea of trespassing
on it is quite absurd, quite out of--why, surely I _cannot_ be
mistaken," he added, lifting his cap, "this must be the young lady whom
I had the pleasure of meeting on the road hither, at a time when--"

"When your presence and aid were most opportune," interrupted Flora, as
she held out her hand with a gracious smile and a blush.

Why Flora blushed is best known to herself. The same may be said in
regard to the fact that Reginald Redding felt rather awkward--though not
naturally an awkward man--and looked rather sheepish as he took the hand
timidly. It is also worthy of record that the touch of Flora's hand
sent a galvanic stream up Redding's arm, which curled round his head,
ran down his spine, and passed out into the rock at the extremities of
his ten toes!

"Indeed!" exclaimed McLeod senior, while a peculiar expression crossed
his swarthy countenance as if a new idea had hit him; "then, Mr
Redding, I am your debtor; but come, let us to supper before it cools.
I suppose that no more need be said about the boundary line. I have not
been guilty of trespassing, it seems, on your Company's reserves?"

"Not in the least," answered the fur-trader promptly, with a glance at
his man.

"Vraiment, non, cer'nly not!" exclaimed Le Rue emphatically, not a trace
of scorn being now visible on his benign countenance.

Matters being thus amicably disposed of, the party adjourned to the hut,
where they sat down to a substantial repast, the foundation of which was
boiled bacon and tea; the superstructure, biscuits and butter.

Here Francois Le Rue met with a profound disappointment. He had rightly
judged that, where the mistress dwelt, the maid must necessarily abide;
accordingly, on entering the hut, he had the extreme satisfaction of
obtaining a glance of grateful recognition from Elise's bright eyes.
But the sanguine trader had also counted on the pleasure of her company
at supper in the kitchen of the establishment, while his master should
sup with the McLeods in