y which even you can be
convinced, and when I show you how far my new faith has carried me you
taunt me by asking who is my--victim. Oh, aunt, for the love of all
you ever held dear, leave me in peace. Let me prove to you my own
destiny, but leave me in peace until I have done so, or--failed. Can
you not see that I am trying to preserve my sanity? And by every word
and look you are driving me to the verge of madness. The man I love
knows all, he and his great friend. He knows all you have ever told
me, and his love is the strongest and bravest. He laughs this fate to
scorn, he has no fears for himself, or for me. I tell you you shall
have your proof. But you must leave me in peace."

For a moment it almost seemed as if her aunt were abashed at the
passion of her protest. She withdrew her cold stare, and, with her
jeweled hands folded in her lap, gazed down at the white table-cloth.
She waited until Joan dropped despairingly back into her chair, then
she looked up, and her glance was full of malicious irony.

"You shall have your way--after to-night. You shall not hear one
word of warning from me. But to-night you must let me have my way.
You say you believe. I tell you I _know_. You must do your best,
and--fail. Have your way." She withdrew her gaze and her eyes became
introspective. "Who is this man--you say you are going to marry?"

Joan warmed under the change in her aunt's manner. Her relief at the
other's assurance was almost boundless, although the effect of the
woman's previous attitude was to leave her far less sure of herself.

"It is Buck," she said impulsively. "He is the great friend of the man
from whom I bought this farm. Oh, auntie, wait until you see him. You
will realize, as I have, his strength, his goodness. You will have no
doubts when you know him. You will understand that he has no fear of
any--any supernatural agencies, has no fear of any fancied fate that
may be awaiting him. Auntie, he is tall, so tall, and--oh, he's
wonderful. And his name, Buck--don't you like it? It is so like him.
Buck--independence, courage, confidence. And, oh, auntie, I love him
so."

Mercy remained quite unmoved. It almost seemed doubtful if she heard
and understood all the simple girlishness in her niece's rhapsody, so
preoccupied she seemed with her own thoughts.

"It was his friend, you say, who has taught you that--you have nothing
further to fear? And who is this paragon?"

"He is the man who sold me the far