The voyage, it appeared, had been unusually calm and agreeable, and the partners had thoroughly enjoyed the rest after the somewhat worrying work of the last six months. Yes, everything was working out splendidly as regards the new mine, and Miles was convinced that only time was necessary to turn it into a huge success. Will Gerard would be a millionaire some fine day, or something very like a millionaire, and he would deserve all he got. The best fellow and the smartest, and the hardest working, and the truest chum—
In the background saucy Jill dumbly echoed these well-worn sentiments, rolling her eyes ceilingwards, and declaiming with outstretched hands, till Miles, turning suddenly, caught sight of her, and burst into one of his old hearty laughs.
“Well, what does that mean, Jill? What have I said to amuse you?”
Jill sparkled at him in her most captivating manner.
“Toujours le bon Gerard! We have heard so much of this marvel that we are dying to behold him. Snap-shots, we know, are not the most flattering medium, so we ought not to judge by the likenesses we have already seen, but he hardly appeals to me as a miracle of beauty! When does he propose to dazzle our eyes by appearing before us in the flesh?”
Miles laughed once more.
“Not till next week, so you must exercise your patience, my dear. He has his own people to see, and besides that he has too much tact to intrude upon a fellow’s first days at home. Gerard always knows what is the right—” He broke off hastily as Jill resumed her silent pantomime of admiration. “Oh, all right! I won’t praise him any more. You can find out his good points for yourself. If the truth were known, I daresay he is anxious to get a new rig-out before he pays calls on fascinating young ladies. We have neither of us a decent coat to our backs, and must go tailor-hunting the first thing to-morrow morning. We have not had much ladies’ society abroad. I expect Gerard will fall headlong in love when he sees you in that blouse, Jill!”
“I expect he will. They generally do! But it’s no use. I don’t care for Colonials!” drawled Miss Jill, chin in air, and Miles’ heated repudiation of the term as applied to either his partner or himself failed to move her from her front.
“Jill is waiting for Prince Edward of Wales. There’s no other unmarried male who comes up to her standpoint,” said her father, laughing; and once more Miles marvelled at the changes of the years!
When bedtime came, Betty looked shyly at the new Miles, who seemed still more than half a stranger, and felt her heart throb with pleasure as his grasp tightened on her arm, and he said affectionately—