“Oh, I dismissed your driver long ago,” said the lumberman. “I’ll take you there in my buggy. I am going out to Three Rivers to-day anyhow.”
“No chance of overtaking the ladies?” asked Trenton.
“I don’t think so. We may overtake Mrs. Mason but I imagine Miss Sommerton will be either at Quebec or Montreal before we reach Three Rivers. I don’t know in which direction she is going. You seem to be somewhat interested in that young lady. Purely artistic admiration, I presume. She is rather a striking girl. Well, you certainly have made the most of your opportunities. Let’s see, you have known her now for quite a long while. Must be nearly twenty-four hours.”
“Oh, don’t underestimate it, Mason; quite thirty-six hours at least.”
“So long as that? Ah, well, I don’t wish to discourage you; but I wouldn’t be too sure of her if I were you.”
“Sure of her! Why, I am not sure of anything.”
“Well, that is the proper spirit. You Englishmen are rather apt to take things for granted. I think you would make a mistake in this case if you were too sure. You are not the only man who has tried to awaken the interest of Miss Sommerton of Boston.”
“I didn’t suppose that I was. Nevertheless, I am going to Boston.”
“Well, it’s a nice town,” said Mason, with a noncommittal air. “It hasn’t the advantages of Three Rivers, of course; but still it is a very attractive place in some respects.”
“In some respects, yes,” said the artist.