Yet, though I asked myself over and over again where Hilda would be likely to go--Canada, China, Australia--as the outcome of her character, in these given conditions, I got no answer.

I stared at the fire and reflected.

I smoked two successive pipes, and shook out the ashes.

"Let me consider how Hilda's temperament would work," I said, looking sagacious.

I said it several times--but there I stuck.