Affairs were in this position when he sat one evening with his daughter on the verandah, glancing now and then down the valley. It was very still and peaceful, and trails of white mist crept about the pines, while, though the paling light still lingered high up upon the snow, a crescent moon was growing into visibility against the steely blueness behind the eastern shoulder of a hill. Deringham, however, was listening for the thud of hoofs, and wondering if the mounted man sent down to the settlement would bring any letters for him. His daughter sat close by him, dreamily watching the darkness roll higher about the pines. She had not as yet grown tired of Somasco, and found its owner an interesting study. He was of a type that was new to her, and the girl of a somewhat inquiring disposition.
Presently she turned to her father. "How long shall we stay here?" she said.
"I don't know," said Deringham. "It depends upon the Canadian, and in the meanwhile I am picking up a good deal of useful information about the mineral resources of this country. Alton of Somasco seems to be a somewhat intelligent man."
"Yes," said the girl thoughtfully. "It is a little difficult to dislike him."
"I," said her father, smiling, "do not know that there is any great necessity, or notice signs of a marked endeavour on your part to do so."
The girl glanced at him inquiringly. "You mean?" said she.
"Nothing," said Deringham. "Only the Canadian is also a man. Well, we shall be going on to Vancouver presently."
The girl laughed a little. "That is incontrovertible," she said. "Why not go on now?"
"There are reasons," said Deringham somewhat gravely. "For one thing I hope to be in a position shortly to make terms with him."
"But Carnaby is his," said the girl.