"I am to be here only a day or two," he continued, "but if there's anything I can do—"
"In the way of rescuing," interrupted Martine.
"Oh, please," he protested, "don't mention that; it was so slight."
"You know," continued Priscilla, "we've been rescued once more,—at least I have been, for really it was Martine who was the rescuer." And then, when the young man seemed mystified by their words, the two had to tell him the story of the Windsor fire, of which, it seemed, he had not heard.
After Mr. Knight had congratulated them on their escape and condoled with them on their losses, he said:
"In case I have no other chance, I must tell you that my chief regret in leaving Wolfville so unexpectedly was the fact that I had no chance to show you through Acadia College, or tell you much about it. I know that that was one of the things Balfour had in mind when he wrote to me that I should present Acadia College in the best possible light."
"Oh, indeed," responded Martine, with a slight touch of impatience, "we have heard quantities about it,—that it offers the same advantages to women as to men; that a great many distinguished college men in the 'States,' as you say down here, were graduates of Acadia; that it has a lovely situation, and plenty of time to grow," she concluded suddenly, for, after all, though truce had been declared, Martine could not resist the opportunity of teasing Mr. Knight.
"I saw Balfour Airton," continued Mr. Knight, apparently undisturbed, "when at Annapolis the other day, and he is to be one of the distinguished graduates of Acadia."
"Did he say so?" Martine did not try to conceal her genuine surprise.
"Oh, no; Balfour thinks of nothing now but hard work, and he's likely to have his share of it the next few years."