d responded
as if she did, and was very kind and gracious to the handsome soldier,
and scarcely vouchsafed to Mr Elliott a single glance.

By and by Mr Grove came in and withdrew Mr Elliott to the discussion
of the harbour question, and as Arthur knew everything that could
possibly be said on that subject, he had a better opportunity still of
watching the pair on the other side of the table. It was very absurd of
him, he said to himself, and he repeated it with emphasis, as the young
lady suddenly looking up, coloured vividly as she met his eye. It was
very absurd, but, somehow, it was very interesting, too. Never, during
the whole course of their acquaintance, had his mind been so much
occupied with the pretty, silly little creature.

It is very likely, the plan of piers and embankments, of canals and
bridges, which Miss Fanny's working implements were made to represent,
extending from an imaginary Point Saint Charles, past an imaginary
Griffintown, might have been worthy of being laid before the town
council, or the commissioner for public works. It is quite possible
that Mr Grove's explanations and illustrations of his idea of the new
harbour, by means of the same, might have set at rest the doubts and
fears of the over-cautious, and proved beyond all controversy, that
there was but one way of deciding the matter, and of securing the
prosperity of Mount Royal City, and of Canada. And if Mr Grove had
that night settled the vexed question of the harbour to the satisfaction
of all concerned, he would have deserved all the credit, at least his
learned and talented legal adviser would have deserved none of it.

It was very absurd of him, he said again, and yet the interest grew more
absorbing every moment, till at last he received a soft relenting glance
as he bowed over Miss Fanny's white hand when he said good-night. He
had one uncomfortable moment. It was when Mrs Grove hoped aloud that
they should see him often, and then added, for his hearing alone,--

"It would look so odd, you know, to forsake us quite."

He was uncomfortable and indignant, too, when the captain, as they
walked down the street together, commented in a free and easy manner on
Miss Grove's "good points," and wondered "whether the old chap had tin
enough to make it worth a fellow's pains to follow up the impression he
seemed certain he had made." He was uncomfortable when he thought about
it afterward. What if "pique, or wounded pride, or