To aggravate matters, there was an other aspirant to Miss Assheton's fav our, and Fred chose to consider that he held the post of first favourite. Many an hour did he spend in anathematis ing the unconscious Mr Veevers, many a cigar did he smoke in wrath and in dignation, many an unlucky horse or dog felt the effects of the untoward state of Fred Arlingham's love-affairs.
One evening he and Colonel D unbar were pacing up and down the cedar avenue smoking their cigars. Fred looked moody, and kept glancing in the direction of the ' house, where the lighted windows of the drawing-room shone plainly over the low belt of shrubs. Miss Assheton was there, sitting in a low seat by the fire, and Mr Veevers was in close attendance beside her.
' 1 am going on an expedition to the Rocky Mountains/ said Colonel Dun bar presently. ' Casterton and Graham have pi*omised to join me. Will you come too 1 We start in a fortnight.'

1 1 don't know,' said Fred absently, watching for a glimpse of Georgie's face through the window.
Colonel Dunbar glanced quickly at his companion.
' Don't know !' he repeated. ' Don't know what V

Fred shook himself with rather a dismal laugh.
