Vane's feelings were somewhat mixed, but contempt figured prominently among them. He could find no fault with Chisholm's desire to safeguard his daughter's future, but he was convinced that the man looked for more than this. He felt he had been favoured with a delicate hint, to which his companion expected an answer. "Well," he said curtly, "you need not be concerned about the loan. To go a little farther, I should naturally take an interest in the welfare of my wife's relatives. I don't think I can say anything more in the meanwhile." He knew that he might have spoken more plainly without offence, when he saw Chisholm's smile, but the latter looked satisfied. "Those are the views I expected you to hold," he declared. "I believe Mrs. Chisholm will share my gratification if you find Evelyn disposed to listen to you." Vane left him shortly afterwards with a sense of shame. He felt he had bought the girl and that, if she ever heard of it, she would find it hard to forgive him for the course he had taken. By and by he met Carroll, who looked at him inquiringly. "I've had a talk with Chisholm," said Vane. "It has upset my temper--I feel mean. There's no doubt that you were right." Carroll smiled and showed that he could guess what was in his comrade's mind. "I wouldn't worry too much about the thing," he replied. "The girl probably understands the situation. It's not pleasant, but I expect she's more or less resigned to it. She can't help herself." Vane gazed at him with anger. "Does that make it any better? Is it any comfort to me?" "Take her out of it. If she has any liking for you, she'll thank you for doing so afterwards." Vane, who made no answer, strode away, and nobody saw any more of him for an hour or two. He had her father's consent, but he felt he could not plead his cause with Evelyn just then. With her parents on his side, she was at a disadvantage, and he shrank from the thought that she might be forced upon him against her will. This was not what he desired, and she might hate him for it afterwards. She was very alluring; there had been signs of an unusual gentleness in her manner, but he wanted time to win her favour, aided only by such gifts as he had been endowed with. It cost him a determined effort, but he made up his mind to wait. CHAPTER X WITH THE OTTER HOUNDS. A week or two had slipped away since Vane's eventful interview, when he lounged upon the terrace after breakfast chatting with Carroll. Suddenly a long, faint howl came up the valley, and was answered by another in a deeper note. Then a confused swelling clamour, which slightly resembled the sound of chiming bells, broke out, softened by the distance. Carroll stopped and listened. "What in the name of wonder is that?" he asked. "The first of it reminded me of a coyote howling, but the rest's more like the noise the timber wolves make in the bush at night."