"I'll take quite another line," Nasmyth interposed. "Lisle's traversing a country new to him; he can't tell what rapids, ranges, or thick timber may cause delay. No amount of determination will enable one, for instance, to knock more than a few minutes off the time needed to carry a canoe round a portage, nor by any effort can one cross a range as quickly as one can walk up a valley. Isn't that clear, Millicent?" There was a smile in the girl's eyes. "Yes," she replied, "but, all the same, Lisle's supper's waiting." "Such confidence makes one jealous," grumbled Carew. "Lisle, whom I haven't met, is evidently a man who keeps his promise. That means a good deal." "A very great deal," Bella assured him. "Since one's bound to meet with difficulties one can't foresee, it proves that one man has resource, resolution, and many other eminently useful qualities; but all this is getting too serious. I'd better point out that Lisle hasn't even promised to meet us here at any particular time." She paused and laughed mischievously. "Millicent merely sent for him, mentioning to-morrow as the day she would like to start." A little color crept into Millicent's face, but Bella went on: "She called and I haven't the least doubt that our guide set out, over ranges, up rapids, across wide lakes. One can't imagine that man taking it easily, and there's the obvious fact that Jim will have to keep up with him. He will find it hard, but I dare say it will do him good." Nasmyth laughed and strolled away with Carew. The sunset green grew dimmer behind the hills and a pale half-moon appeared above the shadowy woods. It was very still, except for the lapping of the water upon the stones. Bella leaned back lazily in her chair. "This is delightful," she exclaimed. "Didn't Clarence want to come?" The unexpectedness of the question startled Millicent into answering: "He didn't know." "Ah! Then you didn't tell him? Why didn't you?" It was difficult to reply, but there was something in Bella's voice that disarmed Millicent's resentment. Bella had grown gentler since her marriage and less often indulged in bitterness. "I think," said Millicent, "I didn't want any one to distract me; I'm going to make photographs and sketches for the book, you know." "But you let us come!" "Yes," assented Millicent; "you're different." "That's true. We won't disturb you; and Nasmyth wouldn't count. He's an unobtrusive person, only to the front when he is wanted, which is a good deal to say for him; he doesn't expect anything. No doubt, the same applies to Lisle." Millicent made no answer and Bella wondered whether she had gone too far. "But didn't Clarence hear that you were going?" she asked. "He was in Switzerland with his mother. She had been recommended to try a change."