She was not very strong yet, but had undertaken extra duties that necessitated private study.  Now she felt tired after lecturing a class of absent-minded girls, and closing her eyes, abandoned herself to moody thought.  George’s warning was bearing fruit.  Agatha was young, but knew one soon got jaded and youth slipped away.  There was a risk of her spending in unrewarded efforts the years that ought to be happiest, and then finding herself old and soured.  Still, when she came to think of it, she had recognized this and felt a vague dissatisfaction with her lot before George had talked to her.  In fact, the dissatisfaction had begun soon after she wandered through the bush and paddled about the lake with Thirlwell.

For all that, she was not going to give up the resolve she had made long ago.  She owed her father much, and must carry out the task he had unconsciously left her.  She meant to search the country he had traveled for the silver vein; and then, if she was persuaded it could not be found, she would have paid her debt and be free to lead the life that others led.  In the meantime, she was, so to speak, set apart, like a nun, from common joys and sorrows by a vow that must be kept.  Perhaps this was an exaggeration, but it was partly true.

Banishing her thoughts, she put away the map and opened her book, but soon afterwards a servant brought in a card and stated that a man wished to see her.  On the card was printed John Stormont and the number of a post-office box at Winnipeg.

“I don’t know Mr. Stormont,” Agatha remarked.  “But if he wants to see me, you may show him in.”

A few moments later a man entered the room.  He was young and neatly dressed, and smiled urbanely as he bowed.

“Miss Strange, I suppose?  If you are not much occupied, I hope you can give me a few minutes.”

Agatha, feeling curious, indicated a chair and studied him when he sat down.  His voice was rather harsh, his glance was quick, and his alert manner implied self-confidence.  There was, however, nothing else to be remarked about him, and she thought him a common type of young business man.

“I am not engaged just now,” she replied.

“Thank you,” said Stormont.  “Perhaps I’d better state that I’m pretty well known in Winnipeg, where I do business in real estate and sometimes undertake the development of mineral claims.  I’ve recently put over two or three big transactions in that line.”

“But Manitoba is a farming country.”

“Certainly; the prairie belt.  The eastern strip, running along the edge of the Territories from Lake of the Woods, is different.  There the rocks break out among the pine forests and in the last few years prospectors have found valuable minerals.  Some are being worked, and I expect we will soon hear of fresh discoveries.  I understand you are the daughter of Gordon Strange, who found a silver lode in North Ontario.”