The muddy roadway, the gaps and irregularities in the street facade, the windows of a great store opposite, displeased his eye.

The whole scene seemed to him to have no atmosphere.

As far as he was concerned, it said nothing, it touched nothing.
What was it he was to be taken to see?
Emigration offices?
He resigned himself, with a smile.

The prospect made him all the more pleasantly conscious that one feeling, and one feeling only, could possibly have brought him here.
"Ah! there you are." A light figure hurried toward him, and he rose in haste.
But Lady Merton was intercepted midway by a tall man, quite unknown to Delaine.
"I have arranged everything for three o'clock," said the interloper.
"You are sure that will suit you ?" "Perfectly! And the guests ?" "Half a dozen, about, are coming." George Anderson ran through the list, and Elizabeth laughed merrily, while extending her hand to Delaine.
"How amusing! A party--and I don't know a soul in Winnipeg.

Arrived this morning--and going this evening! So glad to see you, Mr.Arthur.You are coming, of course ?" "Where ?" said Delaine, bewildered.
"To my tea, this afternoon.