I looked at her, but this time I did not laugh. She had risen from the stone bench and stood gazing out across the quiet sward to the blue lake beyond. Her dark features were alight with enthusiasm. Then she looked over at me inquiringly, expecting me to take her lead, to walk on boldly with her. And there of a sudden--for until that moment there was nothing in my mind but to tell Mr. Dround that I was to leave him--there shot into my head a plan of how this thing might be handled, the sketch of a great campaign. All the seeds of thought, the full years' schemings, the knowledge and experience of life I had been getting--everything that was within me came surging up into one grand purpose. How it came to me of a sudden, born of a few words this woman had spoken here in the garden by the blue lake, is beyond my explanation. Suddenly I saw a way, clear and broad ahead--the way for me to travel. "You will have to take the first steps by yourself--manage this London and Chicago Company affair on your own responsibility." Mrs. Dround's voice was now matter-of-fact, as though the time for clear thinking had come. "Then, when you have your plans ready--know just what must be done--you will have the necessary help. I can promise that!" I understood what she meant--that Mr. Dround was not to be approached until the scheme was ripe. Then she would swing him to a decision. That was the wise way. "You are right," I agreed. "It would be useless to trouble him until the land is mapped. When it comes to forming the company--" "Yes, then," she interrupted, seeing my point. "Then I shall be of use." "My,--but it's a big gamble!" I said low to myself. "That is the only kind worth making!" she flashed. It struck the right note in my heart. She held out her hand, and I took it in mine. "We're partners on this thing!" I smiled. "Yes--to the end. Now, shall we go to Mr. Dround?" Here was a woman who should have headed a regiment, or run a railroad, or sat at a game with a large stake! Mr. Dround opened the door on the veranda and came forward, walking feebly. "How do you do, Harrington?" He greeted me, giving me a thin, feverish hand. "The doctor's been gone a good while, Jane," he added querulously. "I have been waiting for you in the library." Mrs. Dround moved away while we discussed some matters of urgency, and then Mr. Dround said hesitantly: "I hope you see your way clear, Harrington, to accepting my offer. It promises a great future for a man as young as you, with your energy," he added a trifle pompously. "It is pretty late to talk of that to-night," I replied, evasively. Mrs. Dround was walking slowly toward us; she stopped by the marble piece in the wall and seemed to be examining it. But I knew that she was listening. "There are some plans I want to talk over with you first. If they prove satisfactory to you, we could make an arrangement, perhaps." Mrs. Dround turned her head and looked at us inquiringly.