CHAPTER XXIX
A BOLD SCHEME
The sense of security which Millicent experienced on announcing her engagement was not permanent and in a few days the doubts that had troubled her crept back into her mind. She had never entertained any marked illusions about Clarence and although, now that she was irrevocably pledged to him, she endeavored to fix her thoughts on his most likable qualities, even these appeared in a less favorable light than they had formerly done. The growth of the warmer attachment she had expected to feel was strangely slow, and though it was early to indulge in regrets her heart sometimes grew heavy as she looked forward to the future. Clarence was considerate, attentive and deferential in a polished way, but he lacked something one looked for in a lover. Besides, she was anxious about him; he looked worn, his manner suggested that he was bearing a strain, but this was in his favor, for it roused her compassion. She fancied that the cause of it was financial, and this in a sense was encouraging, because this was a trouble from which she could purchase him immunity.
In the meanwhile she was stirred by mournful memories as she followed the last stages of her brother’s journey and visited the lonely spot where he had met his end. Somehow the thought of him encouraged her—George had quietly done his duty, regardless of the cost, and even if her burden proved heavy, which it was premature to admit, she must bear it cheerfully.
At length they stopped one evening at a portage, and Lisle examined the stores.
“The food’s getting short,” he announced. “One or two of you had better take out your rifles the first thing to-morrow, while the rest go fishing. I’ll tackle the portage with two packers.”
He began his work at sunrise the next morning and it was toward evening when Crestwick came back exultant with a blacktail buck. Nasmyth was fishing near the camp and Lisle was busy with a canoe near by.
“Where are the rest? How have they got on?” Lisle asked.
“I think Batley went back to the last reach with Carew’s rod,” Crestwick answered. “I met Gladwyne and one of the packers on the low range back yonder; they’d only got a blue grouse.”
“I could have done with the man here,” said Lisle. “Which way were they heading?”