harder than I thought. The prairie seems to have got
hold of me; I have good friends here."

"Haven't you plenty in England?"

"Acquaintances; only a few friends. I can't help regretting those I
must leave behind. In fact"--he spoke impulsively, expressing a
thought that had haunted him--"it would be a relief if I knew I should
come back again."

"After all, this is a hard country and we're a rather primitive people."

"You're reliable! Staunch friends, determined enemies; and even among
the latter I found a kind of sporting feeling which made it a little
easier for one to forget one's injuries." He glanced at the prairie
which stretched away, white and silent, in the clear evening light.
"It's irrational in a way, but I'd be glad to feel I was going to work
as usual to-morrow."

"I suppose you could do so, if you really wanted to," Flora suggested.

George turned and looked fixedly at her, while a mad idea crept into
his mind. She was very alluring; he thought he knew her nature, which
was altogether wholesome, and it flashed upon him that many of the
excellent qualities she possessed were lacking in Sylvia. Then he
loyally drove out the temptation, wondering that it had assailed him,
though he was still clearly conscious of his companion's attractiveness.

"No," he said in a somewhat strained voice; "I hardly think that's
possible. I must go back."

Flora smiled, though it was difficult. She half believed she could
shake the man's devotion to her rival, but she was too proud to try.
If he came to her, he must come willingly, and not because she had
exerted her utmost power to draw him.

"Well," she responded, "one could consider the reluctant way you spoke
the last few words as flattering. I suppose it's a compliment to
Canada?"

He failed to understand the light touch of mocking amusement in her
tone; it had not dawned on him that this was her defense.

"It's a compliment to the Canadians, though my appreciation can't be
worth very much. But I don't feel in a mood to joke. In fact, there's
a feeling of depression abroad to-night; even your father seems
affected. I'd expected a pleasant talk with him, but we were very
dull."

"What made you think he was less cheerful than usual?" Flora cast a
quick and rather startled glance at him.

"I don't know, but something seemed wrong. Edgar's the only one who
looks undisturbed, and if he talks much going home, he'll get on my
nerves."

"It's