“Mrs. May chooses to be an ordinary tourist,” Theo said, with just the right air of mystery, “but if she liked, she could travel as a personage.  She has her own reasons for coming to America, just as I have mine, though hers are different.  Don’t you think she ought to see Shasta, and the McCloud River, if her impressions are to be complete?”

“Would she care to go?” said Mrs. Harland.  “John and I would be delighted to take her, and put her up for a week-end—­wouldn’t we, John?”

“Of course,” said Falconer.  “From what I saw of her, she’d be a charming guest.  But poor Hilliard——­”

“Oh, do ask him, too, and give me a chance to flirt with him, please.  I’ve had such poor success with you, I’m feeling crushed.  Do you think Mrs. Gaylor too formidable for me?”

“If I were a betting man, I’d bet on you,” Falconer laughed.  “But I don’t know how far matters have gone between Mrs. Gaylor and Hilliard.  It may be gossip; all the world loves a lover, you know; and it’s human nature to weave a romance around two interesting figures placed toward each other as these are.”

“Well, I should like to try my hand, if his isn’t pre-engaged,” said Miss Dene; “and if it is, he won’t be wasted on me, for I can always use him up in a book.  What fun to have Mrs. Gaylor at the same time!  We should soon see if they were engaged if we brought them together, shouldn’t we?  If not, I’d be free to get in as much deadly work as possible.”

“Is Mrs. May’s husband living?” asked Falconer, with a twinkle of mischief in his usually grave eyes.

“I think I mustn’t tell even you anything about her private affairs,” Miss Dene answered virtuously.  “But I’ve reason to know that, for this race, anyhow, she’s out of the running.  As Mrs. May was telling you at luncheon, Mr. Hilliard is showing her a few things because the mutual friend who was to have done it, couldn’t.  He can’t show her Shasta and McCloud, though, as you can; for a mere motor’s no attraction compared to a private car.  I’m sure she’s never been in one as gorgeous as the kind in America—­yours in particular.”

“Well, we must give her the chance to try it,” said Falconer.

“And you will think of inviting Mrs. Gaylor at the same time?” Theo turned her eyes from her host to his sister, beseechingly.

“I don’t know Mrs. Gaylor well,” Mrs. Harland demurred.  “But if John wants you to see her ranch, and takes us there, I don’t mind asking her to Rushing River Camp for a day or two.  It’s not very likely that she’d refuse”—­the lady smiled—­“as I’m afraid that socially she’s more or less neglected, in spite of her beauty.”

“Or because of it,” said Falconer.  “And here comes Mrs. May.”

A moment later the car came too, and Angela realized that already she had reached the stage when she would miss taking her place beside Hilliard.  She sat behind with Miss Dene, and Billy the “assistant” climbed into the seat next the chauffeur’s.