"Does it matter? It was a natural thing to ask your only sister--who is a friend of mine. We have plenty of room, and the place is quiet." "It used not to be. If I remember, your mother generally had it full part of the year." "Things have changed," said Evelyn quietly. Vane was baffled by something in her manner. Evelyn had never been effusive--that was not her way--but now, while she was cordial, she did not seem disposed to resume their acquaintance where it had been broken off. After all, he could hardly have expected this. "Mabel is like you, as you used to be," he said. "It struck me as soon as I saw her; but when she began to talk there was a difference." "Yes," she said. "I think you're right in both respects. Mopsy has the courage of her convictions. She's an open rebel." There was no bitterness in her tone. Evelyn's manner was never pointed, but Vane fancied that she had said a meaning thing, one that might explain what he found puzzling in her attitude, when he held the key to it. Then she went on: "Mopsy was dubious about you before you arrived, but I'm pleased to say she now seems reassured." Then Carroll came down, and a few moments later Mrs. Chisholm appeared and they went in to dinner in a low-ceilinged room. Nobody said anything of importance, but by and by Mabel turned to Vane. "I suppose you have brought your pistols with you," she said. "I never owned one," Vane informed her. The girl looked at him with an excellent assumption of incredulity. "Then you have never shot anybody in British Columbia?" Carroll laughed, as if this greatly pleased him, but Vane's face was rather grave as he answered her. "No," he said. "I'm thankful I haven't." "Then the West must be getting what the Archdeacon--he's Flora's husband, you know--calls decadent," the girl retorted. "She's incorrigible," Mrs. Chisholm interposed with a smile. Carroll, who was sitting next to Mabel, leaned towards her confidentially. "In case you feel badly disappointed, I'll let you into a secret," he said. "When we feel real savage, we take the axe instead." Evelyn fancied that Vane winced at this, but Mabel looked openly regretful. "Can either of you pick up a handkerchief going at full gallop on horseback?" she inquired. "I'm sorry I can't, and I've never seen Wallace do so," Carroll answered, laughing, and Mrs. Chisholm shook her head at her daughter. "Miss Clifford complained of your inattention to the study of English last quarter," she said severely. Mabel made no answer, though Vane thought it would have relieved her to grimace, and by and by the meal came to an end. Some time afterwards, Mrs. Chisholm rose from her seat in the drawing-room. "We keep early hours at the Dene, but you will retire when you like," she said. "As Tom is away, I had better tell you that you will find syphons and whisky in the smoking-room. I have had the lamp lighted."