triumph, De Lacy piloted Ranald
through the crowd and presented him to Maimie. Ranald was surprised
to find himself shaking hands with the woman he had once loved, with
unquickened pulse and nerves cool and steady. Here Maimie, who was
looking more beautiful than ever, and who was dressed in a gown of
exquisite richness, received Ranald with a warmth that was almost
enthusiastic.

"How famous you have become, Mr. Macdonald," she said, offering him her
hand; "we are all proud to say that we know you."

"You flatter me," said Ranald, bowing over her hand.

"No, indeed. Every one is talking of the young man from the West. And
how handsome you are, Ranald," she said, in a low voice, leaning toward
him, and flashing at him one of her old-time glances.

"I am not used to that," he said, "and I can only reply as we used to in
school, 'You, too.'"

"Oh, now you flatter me," cried Maimie, gayly; "but let me introduce you
to my dear friend, Lady Mary Rivers. Lady Mary, this is Mr. Macdonald
from British Columbia, you know."

"Oh, yes," said Lady Mary, with a look of intelligence in her beautiful
dark eyes, "I have heard a great deal about you. Let me see, you opposed
separation; saved the Dominion, in short."

"Did I, really?" said Ranald, "and never knew it."

"You see, he is not only famous but modest," said Maimie; "but that
is an old characteristic of his. I knew Mr. Macdonald a very long time
ago."

"Very," said Ranald.

"When we were quite young."

"Very young," replied Ranald, with great emphasis.

"And doubtless very happy," said Lady Mary.

"Happy," said Ranald, "yes, so happy that I can hardly bear to think of
those days."

"Why so?" inquired Lady Mary.

"Because they are gone."

"But all days go and have to be parted with."

"Oh, yes, Lady Mary. That is true and so many things die with them, as,
for instance, our youthful beliefs and enthusiasms. I used to believe in
every one, Lady Mary."

"And now in no one?"

"God forbid! I discriminate."

"Now, Lady Mary," replied Maimie, "I want my lion to be led about and
exhibited, and I give him over to you."

For some time Ranald stood near, chatting to two or three people to whom
Lady Mary had introduced him, but listening eagerly all the while to
Maimie talking to the men who were crowded about her. How brilliantly
she talked, finding it quite within her powers to keep several men busy
at the same time; and as Ranald listened to her gay, frivolou