"Now, you have done a good deal to make the time pass pleasantly both here and in British Columbia." "It did pass pleasantly ?" The question was suggestively abrupt, and Ida saw that, as happened now and then, the man was for the moment off his guard.

This, however, did not displease her.
"Of course," she said.

"For that matter it couldn't have been very burdensome to you." Weston laughed in a rather curious fashion, and she saw the blood creep into his face.
"I'm glad you have enjoyed it," he said.

"It seems unfortunately certain that I shall not have another time like this." Ida was aware, of course, that the real man had spoken then, but in another moment he once more, as she sometimes described it to herself, drew back into his shell.
"I interrupted what you were going to say," he observed, with a deprecatory gesture.
"It's very simple," said the girl.

"If my father or any one else makes you an offer, I should like you to take it.