match for the lawyer in that cool, calm mood,
and his anger increased as he realized it.

"But I have my certificate, and can produce plenty of witnesses to
prove my statements," he retorted.

"The court will decide whether your evidence is sufficient to
substantiate your claim," Mr. Bryant composedly remarked.

"The court?--will she take the matter into court?--will she dare
create such a scandal?" exclaimed the man, in a startled tone.

"I do not feel at liberty, even had I the inclination, to reveal any
points in my client's case," coldly replied the young lawyer. "This
much I will say, however," he added, sternly, "I shall leave nothing
undone to free her from a tie that is both hateful and fraudulent."

"I warn you that you will have a battle to fight that will cost you
something," snarled the baffled villain.

"That also remains to be seen, sir; but whether you or I win this
battle, let me tell you, once for all, that Miss Allandale will never
submit to any authority which you may imagine you have acquired over
her by tricking her into this so-called marriage; she will never live
one hour with you; she will never respond to your name."

Royal Bryant arose as he concluded this defiant speech, thus
intimating to his visitor that he wished to put an end to the
interview, for the curb that he was putting upon himself was becoming
almost unbearable.

Emil Correlli gazed searchingly into his face for a moment, as if
trying to measure his foe.

He could not fail to realize the superiority of the man, mentally,
morally and physically, and the thought was maddening that perhaps
Edith had freely given to him the love for which he had abjectly sued
in vain.

"Well," he finally remarked, as he also arose, while he revealed his
white teeth in a vicious smile, "it may be in her power to carry out
that resolution, but one thing is sure, she can never free herself
from the fetters which she finds so galling--she can never marry any
other man while I live."

This shot told, for the blue veins in Roy's temples suddenly swelled
out full at the malignant retort.

But he mastered his first impulse to seize the wretch and throw him
from the window into the street, and quietly remarked:

"As I have twice before observed, sir, all these things remain to be
seen and proved. Now, can I do anything further for you to-day?"

The man could not do otherwise than take the hint; besides, there was
that in Roy's eye which warne