The party had now been stationary for three or four days at Banff, enjoying the comforts of hotel life.

The travelling companion on whom Delaine had not calculated in joining Lady Merton and her brother--Mr.George Anderson--had taken his leave, temporarily, at Calgary.

In thirty-six hours, however, he had reappeared.

It seemed that the construction work in which he was engaged in the C---- valley did not urgently require his presence; that his position towards the railway, with which he was about to sever his official connection, was one of great freedom and influence, owing, no doubt, to the services he had been able to render it the year before.

He was, in fact, master of his time, and meant to spend it apparently in making Lady Merton's tour agreeable.
For himself, Delaine could only feel that the advent of this stranger had spoilt the whole situation.