We're not so bad as that." His face was full of smiling happiness at the meeting as he shook hands with her.

"But Carthey is leaving me,--going prospecting somewhere around the North Pole, I believe,--and I came across to look up Del Bishop, if he'll serve." He turned his head to glance expectantly at her companion, and she saw the smile go out of his face and anger come in.

Frona was helplessly aware that she had no grip over the situation, and, though a rebellion at the cruelty and injustice of it was smouldering somewhere deep down, she could only watch the swift culmination of the little tragedy.

The woman met his gaze with a half-shrinking, as from an impending blow, and with a softness of expression which entreated pity.

But he regarded her long and coldly, then deliberately turned his back.