, and then his eyes twinkled.

"Well," he said pointedly, "perhaps it wasn't to be expected."

There was a moment's silence. Millicent looked down with the colour in
her face; Blake stood very straight, smiling at the others. Then he
said, "We are all friends here, and I'm proud to announce that
Millicent has promised to marry me as soon as I return from Canada."
He bowed to Mrs. Keith and the Colonel. "As you have taken her
guardian's place, madam, and you, sir, are the head of the house, I
should like to think we have your approval."

"How formal, Dick!" said Mrs. Keith with a laugh. "I imagine my
consent is very much a matter of form, but I give it with the greatest
satisfaction."

Challoner got up and took Millicent's hand. "My dear, I am very glad,
and I think Dick has shown great wisdom. I wish you both all
happiness."

Mrs. Foster and her husband offered their congratulations, and for the
next hour they discussed Blake's future plans, after which they were
interrupted by the entrance of a servant with a small silver tray.

"Telegram, sir, for Mr. Blake," he said. "Hopkins was at the post
office, and they gave it him."

Blake took the envelope and looked at Miss Challoner for permission to
open it. When he had done so, he started and gave the form to
Millicent.

"Oh, Dick!" she cried with sparkling eyes. "Isn't this very good."

"I believe so." Blake turned to the others. "After the good feeling
you have shown towards us, I daresay you'll be interested to hear my
partner's latest news." He read out: "'Come. Struck it. Tell
Challoner.'"

He turned to Mrs. Keith. "This should set me firmly on my feet and may
make me rich." Then he addressed Challoner. "But I don't understand
the last of it. Why does he wish you to know?"

The Colonel chuckled. "I sent Mr. Harding five hundred pounds to buy
anything he needed for his prospecting, and told him to give me an
option on a good block of shares in the new syndicate at par. You're
very independent, Dick, but I can't see why you should object to your
relatives putting money into what looks like a promising thing."

"I've no doubt it was mainly through your help Harding found the oil,"
Blake said gratefully.

Soon after this the Fosters rose to go, but they waited sympathetically
in the hall while Millicent lingered with Blake in the drawing-room.

"Dick," she said, blushing, "you made a rash statement, I didn't quite
promise to marry you