“Why not?” said Vance; without deigning to look up.
“Oh, you eastern fellows, and newspaper men in particular, never stay very long in one place. So you’ve met my old mining friend, Colonel Bonifield?”
“Yes,” replied Vance.
“I presume you’ve met his daughter, Miss Louise?” As he made this remark he looked out of the corners of his restless eyes in a manner that was intended to be cunning Vance was full of resentment, and dared not trust himself to make and immediate reply. Presently Boast continued: “They are old friends, of mine; a most respectable family. I used to live in Gold Bluff; may live here again. One can’t say what may happen, you know.”
“I thought,” said Vance, “you were in love with Waterville.”
“One’s in love where one’s possessions are, don’t you see?”
Vance did not reply to the question, but busied himself with his fishing tackle. Presently Boast took a bottle from his pocket, and said: