"Oh, we're sufficiently introduced by this time," she said offhand.
"But--what should I do at the fort ?" he asked.

"How can I see you again ?" She smiled with a touch of scorn at his simplicity.

"That is for you to contrive.

You will naturally call on my father; if he likes you, he will bring you home to dinner." Ambrose smiled with obscure meaning.

"He will never do that," he said.
"Why not ?" demanded Colina.
"My partner and I are free-traders," he explained; "the only free-traders of any account in the Company's territory.