Yet secretly both were conscious that something was on its trial, and that more was in front of them than a mere journey through the Rockies.

He was an old friend both of herself and her family.

She believed him to be honourable, upright, affectionate.

He was of the same world and tradition as herself, well endowed, a scholar and a gentleman.
He would make a good brother for Philip.

And heretofore she had seen him on ground which had shown him to advantage; either at home or abroad, during a winter at Rome--a spring at Florence.
Indeed, as they strolled about Winnipeg, he talked to her incessantly about persons and incidents connected with the spring of the year before, when they had both been in Rome.
"You remember that delicious day at Castel Gandolfo ?--on the terrace of the Villa Barberini?
And the expedition to Horace's farm?
You recollect the little girl there--the daughter of the Dutch Minister?
She's married an American--a very good fellow.