“One of the persons coming this afternoon is an old Montreal fellow-student of mine,” the Canadian was saying.  “He is going to be a great man some day.  But if you get him to talk, you won’t like his opinions—­I thought I’d better warn you.”

“How very interesting!” put in Delaine, with perhaps excessive politeness.  “What sort of opinions?  Do you grow any Socialists here?”

Anderson examined the speaker, as it were for the first time.

“The man I was speaking of is a French-Canadian,” he said, rather shortly, “and a Catholic.”

“The very man I want to see,” cried Elizabeth.  “I suppose he hates us?”

“Who?—­England?  Not at all.  He loves England—­or says he does—­and hates the Empire.”

“‘Love me, love my Empire!’” said Elizabeth.  “But, I see—­I am not to talk to him about the Boer War, or contributing to the Navy?”

“Better not,” laughed Anderson.  “I am sure he will want to behave himself; but he sometimes loses his head.”

Elizabeth sincerely hoped he might lose it at her party.

“We want as much Canada as possible, don’t we?” She appealed to Delaine.

“To see, in fact, the ‘young barbarians—­all at play!’” said Anderson.  The note of sarcasm had returned to his clear voice.  He stood, one hand on his hip, looking down on Lady Merton.

“Oh!” exclaimed Elizabeth, protesting; while Delaine was conscious of surprise that anyone in the New World should quote anything.

Anderson hastily resumed:  “No, no.  I know you are most kind, in wishing to see everything you can.”

“Why else should one come to the Colonies?” put in Delaine.  Again his smile, as he spoke, was a little overdone.

“Oh, we mustn’t talk of Colonies,” cried Elizabeth, looking at Anderson; “Canada, Mr. Arthur, doesn’t like to be called a colony.”

“What is she, then?” asked Delaine, with an amused shrug of the shoulders.

“She is a nation!” said the Canadian, abruptly.  Then, turning to Lady Merton, he rapidly went through some other business arrangements with her.

“Three o’clock then for the car.  For this morning you are provided?” He glanced at Delaine.

Lady Merton replied that Mr. Delaine would take her round; and Anderson bowed and departed.

“Who is he, and how did you come across him?” asked Delaine, as they stepped into the street.

Elizabeth explained, dwelling with enthusiasm on the kindness and ability with which the young man, since their acquaintance began, had made himself their courier.  “Philip, you know, is no use at all.  But Mr. Anderson seems to know everybody—­gets everything done.  Instead of sending my letters round this morning he telephoned to everybody for me.  And everybody is coming.  Isn’t it too kind?  You know it is for Papa’s sake”—­she explained eagerly—­“because Canada thinks she owes him something.”

Delaine suggested that perhaps life in Winnipeg was monotonous, and its inhabitants might be glad of distractions.  He also begged—­with a slight touch of acerbity—­that now that he had joined them he too might be made use of.