"How long are you going to be here?" inquired Mrs. Bunker of Lord Stafford, while her son-in-law was probing Lord Canning’s recently acquired views of America. "Oh, we’re only birds of passage, Mrs. Bunker." "So are we; but isn’t it delightful to meet on the wing?" "On the wing; ha, ha! Delightful, Mrs. Bunker! Delightful!" "We start to-morrow for California," said Lord Canning. "And the day after we return to Indiana," added Mrs. Bunker. "In the summer we intend to investigate Colorado." "I have a ranch up in the Rockies," said Stillwater. "Why, this little girl," he brought his hand down on Indiana’s shoulders, "learned to shoot up there." "Indeed!" said Lord Canning. "Well, you just ought to have seen her once cornering a grizzly. She shot him, too—sure as I stand here." "Extraordinary!" exclaimed Lord Canning. "Oh, that’s a small matter," remarked Indiana modestly. "Indeed!" said Lord Canning. "We shoot bears every day in America," she added airily. At these words Lord Canning looked about him as though he fully expected one to appear that moment, for the purpose of allowing him to see Miss Stillwater dispatch it with all possible speed, and just as she stood there in her long white opera cloak, holding a bunch of hyacinths. "Not here!" exclaimed Indiana. "No?" answered Lord Canning, looking absently at her blonde pompadour, every hair of which seemed to quiver with a distinct life and individuality of its own. Indiana gave vent to a long peal of merriment. "No—of course not!" Lord Canning hastened to add. "Not _here_." "We used to spend most part of our summers in the Rockies," said Stillwater, "but the last two or three years the ladies have preferred the Adirondacks." "We thought of giving ourselves a month there in the autumn, before we return to England," said Lord Canning. "Now’s my chance," exclaimed Mrs. Bunker; "you must stay with us, and we’ll give you fine hunting." "Plenty of deer in the North Woods," added Stillwater. "You’ll be heartily welcome if you care to rough it with us. Camp life, you know." "I should be only too delighted," said Lord Canning. "What do you say, Uncle?" "Charmed!" "I’m sure we’ll make you feel at home," said Mrs. Stillwater. At these words, uttered with such heartfelt sincerity, the two Englishmen felt at home that very moment. There was a soft domesticity about Mrs. Stillwater, which made itself perceptible even in the brilliant crowded corridor of the Waldorf. "Now, Lord Stafford," said Mrs. Bunker, "take out your note book; and I’ll give you all necessary instructions to reach us." "I generally manage to get up there in September," said Mr. Stillwater. "But, if anything detains me for a short while—you’ll be in good hands." "Yes, we’ll take care of you," said Indiana. Lord Canning smiled. Indiana immediately decided that his face, though stern in repose, was not unattractive.