en Helen invited her to join us. As the girl consented, I
might perhaps go farther--"

Thirlwell stopped him. "Why is Sir James anxious to help me?"

"We can only guess. Perhaps he feels you have a claim and he has
neglected you. Then he may think you will do him credit and realize the
ambitions he's getting too old to carry out. He has noted that you have
inherited your father's character, and I've heard him remark that while
Tom Thirlwell had extravagant notions, he certainly had brains. However,
we were talking about Evelyn."

Thirlwell, exercising some self-control, lighted a cigarette and gave
Allott a steady look.

"Then we'll finish the talk. Evelyn is a charming girl; amiable, pretty,
tranquil, but there's no ground for believing she has contemplated
marrying me."

"Suppose we admit that's possible?" said Allott, with a meaning smile.
"I imagine, because I know you both, that if you were firm enough, you
could, so to speak, carry her away. Since you own that she's charming,
why don't you try?"

"If you are curious, you can take it that Sir James's gratuitous
approval is an obstacle. I shall not marry to please him or let him plan
my career. I mean to stand on my own feet and not be ruled by a greedy
old man's caprices. Now you understand this, we'll say no more about the
thing."

Allott shrugged. "Very well! I've done my best, and since you mean to
take your own line, wish you success. Perhaps we had better go
downstairs."

Evelyn was talking to the young American when they crossed the big hall
and she smiled as they passed, but an hour later Thirlwell saw her
alone. She beckoned him carelessly and indicated a place near her in a
corner seat.

"So Allott has not persuaded you to come with us!" she remarked.

"No," said Thirlwell. "Very sorry, but there are matters I can't
neglect."

"We shall miss you," she said, with a side glance. "I suppose you are
not coming to England afterwards?"

"I'm afraid not," Thirlwell answered.

Then, to his surprise, she gave him a rather curious smile. "From the
beginning I didn't think you would come."

"Ah!" said Thirlwell. "Still I don't see why--"

"That doesn't matter," she answered calmly. "After all, I dare say it's
better in many ways that you should stay in Canada, and I wish you
luck." She paused a moment and resumed: "I want you to feel that I do
wish it. But Mrs. Allott is waiting for me. We shall, no doubt, see you
before we start."

She left hi