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There were no counters on it, but Gladwyne had just noted something in a little book and was waiting with a languid smile upon his handsome face. Next to him sat Batley, looking thoughtful; and Crestwick sat opposite Lisle, eager and unhealthily flushed. His forehead showed damp in the lamplight and there was an unpleasant glitter in his eyes.
Bella Crestwick, not content with monopolizing Clarence, must also seek to include the Canadian in her train. It was curious that for the moment that seemed the more serious offense. The girl was insatiable and going too far, Millicent thought. Lisle noticed her silence. "Remember that I'm from the wilds," he said. She smiled at him reassuringly. "After all, that isn't a great drawback.
"I invited myself; result, sixty dollars to the bad in half an hour. I used to hold my own in our mining camps, and I hadn't the worst cards." Nasmyth laughed with unconcealed enjoyment. "The only fault I have to find with you Westerners is that you're rather apt to overrate yourselves. I suppose they let young Crestwick in a good deal deeper?"
Meeting Nasmyth he walked with him toward Gladwyne's house, where they found the guests assembled on the lawn and Mrs. Gladwyne sitting by a tea-table. One or two young women were standing near and several men had gathered about a mat laid upon the grass fifty yards from where a small target had been set up. Lisle joined Bella Crestwick, who detached herself from the others.
"I'm thinking of taking shares in it," Crestwick informed him. "Well," said Lisle, "that wouldn't be wise." Gladwyne leaned farther back in his seat, as if to disassociate himself from the discussion, which was what the Canadian had expected from him; but Batley, who was of more resolute fiber, showed fight. His appearance became aggressive, his face hardened, and there was a snap in his eyes.
He strode away toward the packers' fire, quite aware that he had not behaved in a very seemly way, but still consumed with indignation against Gladwyne. When he had disappeared, Clarence looked up. "I'm sorry if we have given you unnecessary trouble; but does your guide often adopt that rather hectoring tone?" His languid contempt roused Crestwick.
They laid down their cards in turn and then Crestwick noisily thrust his chair back. "Another knock-out!" he exclaimed savagely. "I don't like to get up so far behind. Shall we double on another deal?" "As you like," returned Batley. "You're plucky, considering the cards you've had; but if Fortune's fickle, she's supposed to favor a determined suitor."
There must be no shadow of doubt when Lisle told his startling story. They descended with caution, moving through shadow, for the ridge above them cut off the moonlight, though it was far from dark, and they were near the bottom when Crestwick dislodged a bank of stones which went rattling and crashing down to the beach.
She had a tenderness for Clarence, and she wondered how far her influence might restrain and protect him if, as his mother had suggested, she eventually married him. Another point caused her some uneasiness Bella Crestwick had boldly entered the field against her and was making use of the Canadian to rouse Clarence by showing him that he had a rival.
He looked up at Lisle with uncertainty and anger in his face. "It almost makes me forget Bella's other news. What can be done?" "What do you want to do?" "Don't fence!" said Crestwick. "I'm not smart at it. Don't you know a reason why Miss Gladwyne shouldn't marry the fellow?" "Yes. It has nothing to do with you." "Perhaps not," replied Crestwick.
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