would be best and happiest for her.
Elsa married to that wicked, cynical, devil-possessed, battered,
fortune-hunting adventurer with a nameless past! This must be
prevented at any cost. With his father her lot _must_ be a hell; with
himself--after a period of storm and doubt perhaps--it could scarcely
be other than happy, for was he not young, handsome, sympathetic,
and--devoted? Ah! there was the real point. He loved this lady with all
the earnestness of which his nature was capable, and the thought of her
passing into the possession of another man gave him the acutest anguish.
That the man should be Foy, his half-brother, was bad enough; that it
should be Ramiro, his father, was insupportable.

At breakfast the following morning, when Elsa did not appear, the pair
met.

"You look pale, Adrian," said his father presently. "I fear that this
wild weather kept you awake last night, as it did me, although at your
age I have slept through the roar of a battle. Well, have you thought
over our conversation? I do not wish to trouble you with these incessant
family matters, but times presses, and it is necessary to decide."

Adrian looked out of the lattice at the snow, which fell and fell
without pause. Then he turned and said:

"Yes. Of the two it is best that she should marry me, though I think
that such a crime will bring its own reward."

"Wise young man," answered his father. "Under all your cloakings of
vagary I observe that you have a foundation of common-sense, just as the
giddiest weathercock is bedded on a stone. As for the reward, considered
properly it seems to be one upon which I can heartily congratulate you."

"Peace to that talk," said Adrian, angrily; "you forget that there are
two parties to such a contract; her consent must be gained, and I will
not ask it."

"No? Then I will; a few arguments occur to me. Now look here, friend, we
have struck a bargain, and you will be so good as to keep it or to take
the consequences--oh! never mind what they are. I will bring this lady
to the altar--or, rather, to that table, and you will marry her, after
which you can settle matters just exactly as you please; live with her
as your wife, or make your bow and walk away, which, I care nothing so
long as you are married. Now I am weary of all this talk, so be so good
as to leave me in peace on the subject."

Adrian looked at him, opened his lips to speak, then changed his mind
and marched out of the house into the