the board of trustees."

Like a moth, Leo flitted closer to the flame.

"Will he make no attempt to secure his rights?"

"He is too wise to waste his time in so fruitless an endeavor."

"Have you advised him to submit tamely to the deprivation of his
fortune?"

"He has not consulted me, but Wolverton, who is his cousin, convinced
him of the futility of any legal proceedings."

"Does General Darrington's granddaughter understand that Prince's
career will be ruined for want of the money to which he is entitled?"

"I am not acquainted with the views Gen'l Darrington's granddaughter
entertains concerning Prince, as I have not seen her since the trial
ended. Have you?"

Each looked steadily at the other, and under the gleam of his eyes,
hers fell, and her color flickered.

"I went once, but was denied admission. Even Sister Serena sees her no
longer. You doubtless know that she is recovering slowly from a severe
attack of illness."

"I have heard nothing since the night she was convicted and sentenced.
To-day I found a message at my office from Singleton, asking me to call
at my earliest convenience at the penitentiary, on a matter of legal
business. To what it refers, I know not, as I came immediately here."

There was a brief silence, in which his gaze mercilessly searched her
fair, proud face; then with a supreme effort she laid her hand suddenly
on his, and looked up smiling:

"I believe I was growing very impatient over your prolonged absence in
New Orleans. Time dragged dismally, and I was never more rejoiced than
when I received your last letter, and knew that I should see you
to-day. Lennox, I have set my heart on something, which only your
consent and acquiescence will secure to me. I am about to ask for a
mammoth sugar-plum that has dangled temptingly before my eyes for
nearly a year, and I shall enjoy it the more if you bestow it
graciously. Can you be generous and indulge my selfish whim?"

He felt a quiver in the cold fingers over which his warm hand closed,
saw the throbbing of the artery in her white throat, the ebbing of the
scarlet in lips that bravely held their coaxing, smiling curves, and he
knew that the crisis he had long foreseen was drawing near.

Leaning closer, he looked down into her brown eyes. The end must come;
but he would not precipitate it. Like Francis at Pavia, he acknowledged
to himself that all was lost, save honor.

"Whenever my Leo convinces me she can be selfish, I