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“I don’t know,” said Violet amusedly. “You ought to be a better judge than I. You are a man.”

“I have never loved anybody, so I am in no position to decide,” said Spencer.

There was as little self-consciousness in his voice as if he were telling her a fact concerning the Loon Lake trouble. Violet rose to the occasion.

“You have an interesting experience to look forward to,” she said.

Spencer turned his deep-set grey eyes squarely upon her.

“I don’t know that. When I said I had never loved, I meant more than the love of a man for some particular woman. I meant love in every sense. I do not know what it is to have an affection for any human being. My parents died before I can remember. My only living relative was a penurious old uncle who brought me up for shame’s sake and kicked me out on the world as soon as he could. I don’t make friends easily. I have a few acquaintances whom I like, but there is not a soul on earth for whom I care, or who cares for me.”

“What a revelation love will be to you when it comes,” said Violet softly. Again he looked into her eyes.

“Do you think it will come?” he asked.

Before she could reply Mrs. Hill pounced upon them. Violet was wanted to sing. Mr. Spencer would excuse her, wouldn’t he? Mr. Spencer did so obligingly. Moreover, he got up and bade his hostess good night. Violet gave him her hand.

“You will call again?” she said.

Spencer looked across at Madison–perhaps it was accidental.

“I think not,” he said. “If, as you say, love will come some time, it would be a very unpleasant revelation if it came in hopeless guise, and one never knows what may happen.”

Miss Thayer was conscious of a distinct fluttering of her heart as she went across to the piano. This was a new sensation for her, and worthy of being analyzed. After the M.P.s had gone she asked Mrs. Hill who Mr. Spencer was.

“Oh, John Spencer,” said Mrs. Hill carelessly. “He’s at the head of the Land Office here. That’s really all I know about him. Jack says he is a downright good fellow and all that, you know. But he’s no earthly good in a social way; he can’t talk or he won’t. He’s flat. So different from Mr. Madison, isn’t he?”

“Very,” said Violet emphatically.

After Mrs. Hill had gone out Violet walked to the nearest mirror and looked at herself with her forefinger in the dimple of her chin.

“It is very odd,” she said. She did not mean the dimple.

* * * * *

Spencer had told her he was not coming back. She did not believe this, but she did not expect him for a few days. Consequently, when he appeared the very next evening she was surprised. Madison, to whom she was talking when Spencer entered, does not know to this day what she had started to say to him, for she never finished her sentence.

“I wonder if it is the Loon Lake affair again?” she thought nervously.

Mrs. Hill came up at this point and whisked Madison off for a waltz. Spencer, seeing his chance, came straight across the room to her. Sergeant Robinson, who was watching them as usual, is willing to make affidavit that Miss Thayer changed colour.

After his greeting Spencer said nothing. He sat beside her, and they watched Mrs. Hill and Madison dancing. Violet wondered why she did not feel bored. When she saw Madison coming back to her she was conscious of an unreasonable anger with him. She got up abruptly.

“Let us go out on the verandah,” she said imperiously. “It is absolutely stifling in here.”

They went out. It was very cool and dusky. The lights of the town twinkled out below them, and the prairie bluffs behind them were dark and sibilant.