pt in the summer time. But Rock Haven is a big place, and
most of the people who live there are there all the year round instead
of only for three months or so in the summer. You haven't any idea of
what a dull old place Bay City is in winter."

"If it's so dull, I shouldn't think you'd stay there."

"Oh, it was a good place for me to get a start, you know. I've been able
to get along in politics, and I've done better there than I would have
in the city, I suppose. And it's all right for a bachelor, anyhow. He
can always get away. If I were married--well, it would be very different
then."

"I should think you'd like it much better in the city, though, even if
you are a bachelor. Why don't you come there this winter?"

"Perhaps--I'd like--do you want me to come?"

He leaned forward, as if her answer were the most important thing in the
world, and, seeing Dolly's mischievous glance at Bessie, Eleanor blushed
slightly.

"I think it would be better for you to be in the city," she said, with
dignity.

"Well, I'll tell you a secret then--I'm really bursting with a whole lot
of others that I mustn't tell. Charlie's been at me for months to come
and be his partner, and I've promised to think it over."

"I think that would be splendid."

"Well, I'm glad to hear you say so, because it really depends on you
whether I shall come or not."

"Hush!" she said, blushing again, and speaking in so low a tone that
only he could hear her. "You mustn't talk like that here--and now.
It--it isn't right."

She looked helplessly at Dolly, and Trenwith, understanding, looked as
if she had said something that delighted him. Perhaps she had--perhaps
she had even meant to do so.

"I'll attend to getting supper ready now, sir, Mr. Trenwith, if you'll
take the wheel," said Bates, just then.

"All right," said Trenwith, nodding. "Now make a good job of it, Bates.
I've been praising you up to the skies."

Bates grinned widely, and disappeared.

No apologies were needed when they came to eat the supper which had been
so well heralded. A table was set up in the after part of the boat, and
the awning was drawn back so that the stars shone down on them. The
_Columbia's_ engine was stopped, and she lay under the lee of
Humber Island, a long, wooded islet that sheltered them from the strong
breeze, making the sea as smooth as a mill pond. On shore twinkling
lights began to appear, and, some distance away, a glare of lights in
the sky betra