. The girls had received him graciously at the farm and had perhaps listened with unusual patience, but if he overtook them in the morning the thing might

himself so weak, because he had seldom vacillated in Canada, but had chosen the proper line and then stuck to it. As a matter of fact,

flinch. Her portrait had not done her justice; he dwelt upon her fearless confidence as she came down the screes, her light, sure s

cter was warped; he could not go straight, but tried to escape the consequences of his folly in a maze of crooked ways. The worst was that consequences could not be shirked. If the real o

he less risk he would run of his society jarring. Next day he left the hills, but did not greatly enjoy his visit to town. London was much like Montreal, where the buildings were as fine, only they did not dig up so many street

musing when he was serious. A fire burned in the grate, for the summer evening was cold, his low chair was comfortable, and Muriel, holding a fan to shield her face, sat opposite in the soft light of a shaded

uld go without much that people in England required, and be the better for the self-denial, but it might be different for a girl. Long habit might make comfort and artistic surroundings actual necessities. I

ls and you came over to the hall where she and Alison Jardine stopped. Now you hav

ways thought,"

trait first. Well, you have more imagination than I thought. But I understand you didn't s

he said: "I changed my plans. I thought it might look significant if

oper thing. But did you

g quietly. "Still I

u practised deserves a reward, and I met Mrs. Dalton while you were away. She a

ng, who looked di

George when he needed help, alt

and unfit fo

the only d

mean," said Festing, w

of company did you find the lad? Y

t, he'd got i

very steady when he was at home and got into some trouble before he left

ee what it has

Now it would have been something if you had merely helped him out of a difficulty, but you did much more. You gave him his chance of making up

, "I gave him his job and told him

ver, as Mrs. Dalton has too much tact to overwhelm you by her gratitude, you needn't be

girl was studying him. She had shown a rather embarrass

in the mountains when you plan

s I was rash, but if so, I'm not afraid to own my fault

ject's plain. For al

you ought to be flattered. Doesn't it

for granted. I suppose you see you migh

iel rejoined, and putting down her fan,

ean to marry Miss Dalton if she is willing

t George's reformation is a good certificate of your chara

to speak, an accident; I don't want to be judged by this, an

aid Muriel in a dry tone, and then got

im she put her hand gently on his arm. She said enough, but not to

some trouble, but hadn't to make much effort to help him out. In fa

one, whether they're good or bad." Then she gave him a very fr

ll crept slowly across the lawn. Beyond a low hedge, woods, smooth pastures, and fields of ripening corn rolled back and melted into the blue shadow beneath the rugged fells. It seemed to Festing that the peaceful sylvan l

ad fallen for most of the day, but it had stopped, and a band of pale-saffron glimmered under heavy clouds in the West. Moisture dr

" Festing remarked. "However, this has happened befo

said Helen. "For one thi

ock?" Festi

will be six o'clock to-morrow. I want to gather some mus

a particularly

don't go early, you often find that so

told him said, "Very well; I'll meet you. It only means half an hour'

u want to gath

rooms. I really want to see

?" Helen sugge

the ripening corn and the leaves are dark and thick, but they stand for fulfilment, and that's not

ere do I

h and the day is getting bright. Promis

entous that she glanced towards the saffron streak that glimmer

ulfilment will come! Sometimes I think of it

if you have to b

Well, you must go now. I w

admitted that the man had power to move her. As yet she would not ask herself how far his power went, but she knew the question must be answered soon. Other m

half-smothered in briars. Both felt invigorated by the freshness of the morning and brushed across the sparkling grass, engaged in careless

d; "that spoi

g asked as the pitif

a snare," she answere

hed behind the thorny branches that closed across the gap. She was glad he had gone so quickly; partly because i

led feebly at his approach; their eyes protruding and strangling wires cutting into their throats. He thought they were past his help, but one rolled round with half-choked screams and he

lood from his hands, while his lips set in a firm line. He hoped he was not a sentimentalist, and admitted that man must kill to eat; moreover he had used the rifle in the Northern wilds. Once a hungry cinnamon bear had raided the camp, and he remembered a certain b

ise when he went back to the fence.

are dead," he remarked. "I suppose

ome out to feed at dus

don't you stop it?

be laid, but there was some mistake and the tenant claimed the rabbits. We said he cou

snares won't be used again. If you like, I'll come

be necessary," Helen answ

anger; certainly not a man she knew. Festing was angry, and no doubt justly, but at the Scar the primitive vein in human nature was decently

arried a heavy stick and a net bag. Bits of fur stuck to the fellow's clothes and there was blood

u be doing?" t

," Festing replied. "What h

ook. "Only that you'd better leave

ulling up another snare

lings. I'll say nothing abou

ad bluff. Light out of this

w, he picked up a half-dead rabbit that was trying to crawl away, and leered at Festing as he raised his stick. The blow was not struck, for Festing leaped across the gr

nd his knuckles jarred on bone. The other's stick dropped, and when they grappled Festing was relieved to feel his arm was not broken. His muscles were hard and well trained, his blood was

t one could not be fastidious, and a savage backward kick got rid of the new antagonist. The other was powerf

rt again if you are," he said. "St

owling and told the

out this," he rejoin

torn, his lip was cut, and his face was bruised. He looked dishevelled, but not at

e said. "I broke the fellow's

g ridiculous in his na?ve triumph, but she was not reall

urt him?"

ck while I'm about. However, as I can't come here as often as I'd like, it migh

u want to bat

"Still if I met your mother, she might get a shock, and now I come to think of it, I'm

so quickly here. I must talk to my mother fi

ant your rabbits tortured so that somebody may make thirty cents apiece. It

d added: "But you

't make a long round if I call at Gardiner's. I'll co

hless; she was shaken by confused emotions. It was for her sake he had plunged into the quarrel, but she felt disturbed by his savageness. For all