atures.

Mrs. Hawley-Crowles dared not refuse the request. She knew she was now
too deeply enmeshed for resistance, and that Lafelle's control over
her was complete--unless she dared to face social and financial ruin.
And under that thought she paled and grew faint, for it raised the
curtain upon chaos and black night.

"Would it be convenient for me to call to-morrow afternoon?" continued
the churchman.

"Certainly," murmured Mrs. Hawley-Crowles in a scarcely audible
voice.

"By the way," Lafelle said, suddenly turning the conversation, "how,
may I ask, is our friend, Madam Beaubien?"

Mrs. Hawley-Crowles again trembled slightly. "I--I have not seen her
much of late, Monsignor," she said feebly.

"A strong and very liberal-minded woman," returned Lafelle with
emphasis. "I trust, as your spiritual adviser, Madam, I may express
the hope that you are in no way influenced by her."

"Sir!" cried Carmen, who had bounded to her feet, her eyes ablaze,
"Madam Beaubien is a noble woman!"

"My dear child!" Lafelle grasped her hand and drew her back into her
chair. "You misunderstand me, quite. Madam Beaubien is a very dear
friend of ours, and we greatly admire her strength of character. She
certainly does not require your defense! Dear! dear! you quite
startled me."

A few moments later he rose and offered his arms to his companions to
lead them back to the hall. Delivering Carmen into the charge of the
eagerly waiting Duke of Altern, Lafelle remarked, as he took leave of
Mrs. Hawley-Crowles, "I trust you will permit me to talk with your
beautiful ward to-morrow afternoon--alone." And when the lady
interpreted the significance of his look, her heart beat rapidly, as
she bowed her acknowledgment of abject submission.

"Bah Jove!" ejaculated the young Duke, clutching Carmen. "Ye know, I
was deucedly afraid you had gone home, or that Uncle Wilton had you.
Ye know, I think I'm jealous of him!"

Carmen laughed merrily at the fellow. His grotesque costume made him
appear still more ridiculous.

"It's nothing to laugh at, Miss Carmen! It's a bally bore to have a
regular mountain like him always getting in the way; and to-night I
just made up my mind I wouldn't stand it any longer, bah Jove! I say,
come on!"

He fixed his monocle savagely in his eye and strode rapidly toward
the refreshment hall. Carmen went in silence. She heard his murmur of
gratification when his gaze lighted upon the chairs and table which
he had e