er eyes.

The color was still in Millicent's cheeks and she was conscious of an
unusual shyness; but she tried to answer naturally.

"I knew that Colonel Challoner had given orders for you to be traced,
if possible, and I knew that you had been found; but that was all Mrs.
Keith told me. I suppose she didn't know--didn't think, I mean--that I
was interested."

"I shall believe that was very foolish of her," Blake said softly, with
a question in his voice.

Millicent smiled.

"It really was foolish. But you must have some tea and wait until she
comes. I don't think she will be long. She has gone out with Mrs.
Foster."

The tea was brought in and Millicent studied Blake unobtrusively as he
sat opposite her at the small table. He had grown thin, his bronzed
face was worn, and he looked graver. She could not imagine his ever
becoming very solemn, but it was obvious that something had happened in
Canada which had had its effects on him.

Looking up suddenly, Blake surprised her attentive glance.

"You have changed," she said.

"That's not astonishing," Blake laughed. "We didn't get much to eat in
the wilds, and I was thinking how pleasant it is to be back again." He
examined his prettily decorated cup. "It's remarkable how many things
one can do without. In the bush, we drank our tea, when we had any,
out of a blackened can, and the rest of our table equipment was
similar. But we'll take it that the change in me is an improvement?"

It was an excuse for looking at her, as if demanding a reply, but she
answered readily.

"In a sense, it is."

"Then I feel encouraged to continue starving myself."

"There's a limit; extremes are to be avoided. But did you starve
yourselves in Canada?"

"I must confess that the thing wasn't altogether voluntary. I'm afraid
we were rather gluttonous when we got the chance."

He smiled, but Millicent's eyes were full of compassion.

"Did you find what you were looking for?" she asked softly.

"No; I think it was a serious disappointment for Harding, and I was
very sorry for him at first."

"So am I," Millicent responded. "It must have been very hard, after
leaving his wife alone and badly provided for and risking everything on
his success. But why did you say you _were_ sorry for him? Aren't you
sorry now?"

"Though we didn't find what we were looking for, we found something
else which Harding seems firmly convinced is quite as valuable. Of
course, he's a