Vane, who liked the man’s face and manner, shook hands with him, and then looked back at Kitty.
“What are you doing now, and how are little Elsie and her mother?” he inquired.
Kitty’s face clouded. “Mrs. Marvin’s dead. Elsie’s with some friends at Spokane, and I think she’s well looked after. I’ve given up the stage. Tom”—she explained shyly—“didn’t like it. Now I’m with some people at a ranch near the Fraser on the Westminster road. There are two or three children and I’m fond of them.”
Drayton smiled. “She won’t be there long. I’ve wanted to meet you for some time, Mr. Vane. They told me at the office that you were away.”
“Ah!” said Vane, “I suppose my congratulations won’t be out of place. Won’t you ask me to the wedding?”
Kitty blushed. “Will you come?”
“Try,” said Vane, and Drayton broke in:
“There’s nobody we would sooner see. I’m heavily in your debt, Mr. Vane.”
“Oh, pshaw!” rejoined Vane. “Come and see me any time: to-morrow, if you can manage it.”
Drayton said he would do so, and shortly afterwards he and Kitty moved away, but Vane, who turned back across the lawn, was not aware that Jessie had watched the meeting from the verandah and had recognised Kitty, whom she had once seen at the station. She had already ascertained that the girl had arrived at Vancouver in his company, which, in view of the opinion she had formed about him, somewhat puzzled her; but she said one must endeavour to be charitable. Besides, having closely watched the little group, she was inclined to believe from the way Vane shook hands with the man that there was no danger to be apprehended from Kitty.