“Yes,” said Festing, who looked disturbed.  “Do you?”

“Mrs. Dalton told me.  You helped George when he needed help, although he had no particular claim.”

“He was ill and unfit for hard work.”

“Was that the only difficulty?”

“I don’t see what you mean,” said Festing, with some embarrassment.

“Then I’ll be frank.  In what kind of company did you find the lad?  You see, I know something about him.”

“If you insist, he’d got into bad hands.”

“That was what I suspected, and I think Mrs. Dalton knows.  George was not very steady when he was at home and got into some trouble before he left the office of a civil engineer.  In fact, this was why he went to Canada.”

“But I don’t see what it has to do with me.”

“I wonder whether you are as dull as you pretend.  George is Mrs. Dalton’s only son; although he had faults she and Helen are very fond of him.  Now it would have been something if you had merely helped him out of a difficulty, but you did much more.  You gave him his chance of making up for past follies.  He has been steady ever since, and I understand is now getting on very well.  It looks as if you had used some moral influence.”

“I didn’t try,” said Festing dryly, “I gave him his job and told him I’d have him fired if he shirked.”

“You didn’t consciously try, but it’s possible to influence people without knowing.  However, as Mrs. Dalton has too much tact to overwhelm you by her gratitude, you needn’t be afraid of going to the Scar with me, although you seem to hesitate about meeting Helen.”

Festing, who pondered for a few moments, felt that the girl was studying him.  She had shown a rather embarrassing curiosity, but he though she meant to be his friend.

“Did you know Miss Dalton was in the mountains when you planned my walking tour?” he asked.

“I did know,” said Muriel with a direct glance.  “Perhaps I was rash, but if so, I’m not afraid to own my fault.  I suppose you understand why I sent you where I did?”

“In one way, your object’s plain.  For all that, I’m puzzled.”

Muriel smiled.  “As Helen is my friend, you ought to be flattered.  Doesn’t it look as if I was satisfied with you?”

“We’ll let that go.  You took something for granted.  I suppose you see you might have been mistaken about my feelings?”

“Then no harm would have been done,” Muriel rejoined, and putting down her fan, gave him a steady look.  “Was I mistaken?”

“You were not,” said Festing quietly.  “I mean to marry Miss Dalton if she is willing.  I’m anxious to know what chance I’ve got.”

“I can’t tell you that.  Perhaps I have gone far enough; but George’s reformation is a good certificate of your character, and Helen and her mother owe you a debt of gratitude.”

Festing colored rather angrily.  “My helping the lad was, so to speak, an accident; I don’t want to be judged by this, and won’t urge the debt.  Miss Dalton must take me on my merits.”