d to
the lifelessness of her aspect. Just then Spencer's heart was sore
within him, and he was an awkward man to oppose.

George de Courcy Vavasour happened to crane his neck nearer at the
wrong moment. The American sent him flying with a vigorous elbow
thrust. He shoved Bower aside with scant ceremony. Millicent Jaques
met a steely glance that quelled the vengeful sparkle in her own eyes,
and caused her to move quickly, lest, perchance, this pale-faced
American should trample on her. Before Bower could recover his
balance, for his hobnails caused him to slip on the tiled floor,
Spencer was halfway across the inner hall, and approaching the
elevator.

An official of the hotel hastened forward with ready proffer of help.
"This way," he said sympathetically. "The lady was overcome by the
heat after so many hours in the intense cold. It often occurs. She
will recover soon. Bring her to a chair in the office."

But Spencer was not willing that Helen's first wondering glance should
rest on strangers, or that, when able to walk to her own apartments,
she should be compelled to pass through the ranks of gapers in the
lounge.

"No," he said. "Ring for the elevator. This lady must be taken to her
room,--No. 80, I believe,--then the manageress and a chambermaid can
attend to her. Quick! the elevator!"

Bower turned on Millicent like an angry bull. "You have chosen your
own method," he growled. "Very well. You shall pay for it."

Her venom was such that she was by no means disturbed by his threat.
"The other man--the American who brought her here--seems to have
bested you throughout," she taunted him.

He drew himself up with a certain dignity. He was aware that every
tongue in the place was stilled, that every ear was tuned to catch
each note of this fantastic quartet,--a sonata appassionata in which
vibrated the souls of men and women. He looked from Millicent's pallid
face to the faces of the listeners, some of whom made pretense of
polite indifference, while others did not scruple to exhibit their
eager delight. If nothing better, the episode would provide an
abundance of spicy gossip during the enforced idleness caused by the
weather.

"The lady whom you are endeavoring to malign, will, I hope, do me the
honor of becoming my wife," he said. "That being so, she is beyond the
reach of the slanderous malice of an ex-chorus girl."

He spoke slowly, with the air of a man who weighed his words. A thrill
that could be f