Mr. Evelyn, "or the rest of mankind must live at odds with
them."

"Your principal object was to visit our western prairies,
wasn't it, Mr. Carleton?" said Florence.

"No," he replied, quietly, "I cannot say that. I should choose
to give a less romantic explanation of my movements. From,
some knowledge growing out of my former visit to this country,
I thought there were certain negotiations I might enter into
here with advantage; and it was for the purpose of attending
to these, Miss Constance, that I came."

"And have you succeeded?" said Mrs. Evelyn, with an expression
of benevolent interest.

"No, Ma'am — my information had not been sufficient."

"Very likely," said Mr. Evelyn. "There isn't one man in a
hundred whose representations on such a matter are to be
trusted at a distance."

"On such a matter," repeated his wife, funnily; "you don't
know what the matter was, Mr. Evelyn — you don't know what you
are talking about."

"Business, my dear — business — I take only what Mr. Carleton
said; it doesn't signify a straw what business. A man must
always see with his own eyes."