It was a week after her brother had sent her his telegram before Miss Corona Raybold arrived at Camp Rob, with her tent, her outfit, and her female guide. Mrs. Archibald had been surprised that she did not appear sooner, for, considering Mr. Raybold’s state of mind, she had supposed that his sister had wished to come at the earliest possible moment.
“But,” said Raybold, in explaining the delay, “Corona is very different from me. In my actions ‘the thunder’s roar doth crowd upon the lightning’s heels,’ as William has told us.”
“Where in Shakespeare is that?” asked Mrs. Archibald.
Mr. Raybold bent his brow. “For the nonce,” said he, “I do not recall the exact position of the lines.” And after that he made no more Avonian quotations to Mrs. Archibald.
The arrival of the young lady was, of course, a very important event, and even Mr. Archibald rowed in from the lake when he saw her caravan approaching, herself walking in the lead. She proved to be a young person of medium height, slight, and dressed in a becoming suit of dark blue. Her hair and eyes were dark, her features regular and of a classic cut, and she wore eye-glasses. Her manner was quiet, and at first she appeared reserved, but she soon showed that if she wished to speak she could talk very freely. She wore an air of dignified composure, but was affable, and very attentive to what was said to her.
Altogether she made in a short time an extremely favorable impression upon Mr. and Mrs. Archibald, and in a very much less time an extremely unfavorable impression upon Margery.
Miss Raybold greeted everybody pleasantly, even informing Matlack that she had heard of him as a famous guide, and after thanking Mr. and Mrs. Archibald for their permission to set up her tent on the outskirts of their camp, she proceeded to said tent, which was speedily made ready for her.
Mrs. Perkenpine, her guide, was an energetic woman, and under her orders the men who brought the baggage bestirred themselves wonderfully.
Just before supper, to which meal the Raybolds and Mr. Clyde had been invited, the latter came to Mr. Archibald, evidently much troubled and annoyed.
“I am positively ashamed to mention it to you, sir,” he said, “but I must tell you that Raybold has ordered the men who brought his sister’s tent to bring our tent over here and put it up near her’s. I was away when this was done, and I wish to assure you most earnestly that I had nothing to do with it. The men have gone, and I don’t suppose we can get it back to-night.”