ved. Moreover she was
sorry for him and felt that he had been unjustly blamed, while, though
it was generally hidden by his careless manner, she thought she saw in
him a strong sincerity. Now she wondered whether she was foolish in
letting her thoughts dwell on him, and if he would soon forget her.
Recalling his words when he said good-bye she knew he had been stirred,
but before this she had been conscious of a certain restraint in his
manner which had only broken down at the last moment. By and by Mrs.
Keith disturbed her reflections.

"It looks as if we were to be favoured with Mrs. Chudleigh's society,"
she remarked with ironical amusement. "Mine appears to have become
more valuable during the last few days."

Millicent saw Mrs. Chudleigh moving towards them, followed by a steward
carrying a folding chair and a maid who brought a book, a bunch of
flowers, an ornamental leather bag, and several other odds and ends.
Mrs. Chudleigh was elaborately attired, but the large plumed hat and
dress cut in the extreme of the current fashion became her. She made a
stately progress along the deck with her burdened attendants in her
train, and it took a few minutes to arrange her belongings to her
satisfaction. Then she sank into the big chair with marked grace of
movement and smiled at Mrs. Keith.

"A delightful morning. I ought to have been writing letters, but the
sunshine brought me out."

Mrs. Keith agreed and Mrs. Chudleigh went on: "I have enjoyed this
visit greatly and find Canada a most interesting country. In fact, I
wish I could stay another month or two, but, of course, when one has
duties."

As Mrs. Chudleigh had neither husband nor children, Margaret Keith
wondered what her duties were, unless she considered the taking a part
in a round of social amusements as such.

"After all," she remarked, "I imagine that one doesn't see very much of
the real Canada from the _Frontenac_ or a big hotel in Montreal."

"True," said Mrs. Chudleigh. "I must confess that I didn't come out to
study the country, though I'm charmed with all I've seen. I'm afraid I
belong to a frivolous set and find a change refreshing. Then several
old friends of mine were going to take a part in the celebrations at
Quebec--Captain Sedgwick among others."

"Is Captain Sedgwick a very old friend?" Mrs. Keith asked, willing to
give the other the lead she seemed to wish for.

"Oh, yes; I met him first as a subaltern in India, when he wa