ly in love with my niece, and his sort of love is not the
true sort. It is not lasting, and it is more dangerous than hate. He
is a foreigner, with the soft, insincere ways that I cannot like nor
trust. He has a strong will and a cruel eye, and--he likes me not at
all. Mind thee, I do not accuse him--only he is the one person we have
met here and spoken with except thyself; and----' She broke off and
shook her head.

'Do you think----' The question did not fall from my lips, but she
interpreted it.

'Thee means does she care for him? I do not think it. She is courteous
to him, nothing more. Out of his sight I do not think she gives him a
thought. But he is here, and she is young. I am poor company for a
young girl.'

'I wish all young girls could enjoy such society as yours, Miss Ross.
Do you think this business has disturbed Miss Jenrys?'

'Disturbed? June Jenrys has not one drop of coward blood in her veins!
I have thought, since she has been with me--I am almost certain,
indeed--that something has saddened my girl just a little; she seems
quieter than she used, and is almost listless at times, which is not
like her. Sometimes she seems quite herself, and that is a very bright
self, then at times she is quite preoccupied. I think this affair has
aroused her interest, perhaps--ah----'

She was facing the street, and the little quietly-uttered syllable
caused me to look through the leaves in the same direction. Miss
Jenrys was approaching, on the opposite side, in the shadow of the
Dakota Building, and with her, walking slowly and talking volubly, was
the little brunette. I was watching her narrowly, and as the two
crossed to the side nearest us I saw her start, stop suddenly, and
turn toward her companion; as she thus stood, her back was toward the
bridge, and a glance in that direction showed me a tall, well-dressed
man, who carried a bunch of long-stemmed La France roses, and whose
brisk steps brought him in a moment face to face with Miss Jenrys.
There was a brief pantomime of greeting between the newcomer and Miss
Jenrys, and then she turned toward the brunette, and there was a short
exchange of words. Then the man lifted his hat, the brunette bowed and
turned away, going toward the entrance, while Miss Jenrys and her
companion, whom I had recognised as Monsieur Voisin, came toward us.

He was not aware of my presence, I know, until he had passed the point
where the arbour opened opposite the west door of th