voice
faltered slightly as she answered:

"You see me through a false medium, dear Thurston, but the time will
come when you will know me as I am."

"I fancy the time has come. It has also come for me to enlighten you a
little. And in the first place, fair queen of minds, if not of hearts,
let me assure you that there is a limit even to your almost universal
influence. And that limit may be found in Miss Le Roy. You, who know the
power of thought only, cannot weigh nor measure the power of love. Upon
Miss Le Roy your warnings would have no effect whatever. I tell you that
in the face of them (were I so disposed), I might lead that girl to the
altar to-morrow."

Marian was silent, not deeming an answer called for.

"And now, I ask you, how you could prevent it?"

"I shall not be required to prevent such an act, Thurston, as such a one
never can take place. You speak so only to try your Marian's faith or
temper--both are proof against jests, I think. Hitherto you have trifled
with the young lady's affections for mere _ennui_ and thoughtlessness, I
do believe! but, now that some of the evil consequences have been
suggested to your mind, you will abandon such perilous pastime. You are
going to France soon--that will be a favorable opportunity of breaking
off the acquaintance."

"And breaking her heart--who knows? But suppose now that I should prefer
to marry her and take her with me?"

"Nay, of course, I cannot for an instant suppose such a thing."

"But in spite of all your warnings, were such an event about to take
place?"

"In such an exigency I should divulge our marriage."

"You would?"

"Assuredly! How can you possibly doubt it? Such an event would abrogate
my obligations to silence, and would impose upon me the opposite duty of
speaking."

"I judged you would reason so," he said, bitterly.

"But, dear Thurston, of what are you talking? Of the event of your doing
an unprincipled act! Impossible, dear Thurston! and forever impossible!"

"And equally impossible, fair saint, that you should divulge our
marriage with any chance of proving it. Marian, the minister that
married us has sailed as a missionary to Farther India. And I only have
the certificate of our marriage. You cannot prove it."

"I shall not need to prove it, Thurston. Now that I have awakened your
thoughts, I know that you will not further risk the peace of that
confiding girl. Come! take my hand and let us return. We must hasten,
too,