ith curling lips and a bitter laugh; "and his father is
only too willing, provided she can be found. Ha! ha! ha!" a soft,
rippling laugh of intense amusement and scorn bursting from her red lips.
"I wonder what they would say if they knew all that I know? I'd give a
great deal if I could ascertain just how much the girl knows about
herself. She could make a great deal of trouble for me if--"

She broke off suddenly just here, but after a few moments of thought
resumed, in another strain:

"I believe I shall have to cultivate my new acquaintances. I think I can
play the father against the son, and, _vice versa_, for it was evident
to-night that both, with very little encouragement, would become my
willing slaves. I imagine that the senior Palmer might make a very
agreeable companion. He is reported to be rich--a diamond merchant, and
I am fond of diamonds. He is certainly very gallant and not bad-looking.
Yes, I think I must cultivate him; and then, if the junior member should
discover his inamorata by and by, a word in the ear of the father might
be sufficient to blast Miss Mona's hopes, and thus complete the work I
began so successfully--at least in some respects--so many years ago. Ah,
Madame Mona, you did not realize the strength of the spirit which you
defied that day in Paris. I made you _believe_ that your marriage was all
a sham, but if I could have made it really so I should have been better
pleased with my work, for then I should have had nothing to fear, at this
late day, from your child."

It is impossible to describe the venom and hatred that were concentrated
in the voice of this beautiful woman, as she thus reviewed this portion
of her history, which, as can plainly be seen, had left a keen sting in
her heart, notwithstanding her boasted victory over her rival.

It did not seem possible that she could be the same person, with her
dark, revengeful face, her contracted brow, fiercely gleaming eyes, and
that cruel, bitter curl upon her lips, who, in all the glory of her
beauty and powers of fascination, had been the centre of attraction in
Alexander Merrill's elegant residence less than two hours previous.

It almost seemed as if she must be possessed of a dual nature, similar
to that so cleverly represented in the story of "Doctor Jekyll and Mr.
Hyde." Then, she had been all smiles, and sweetness, and graciousness,
a vision of delight, a presence that charmed and pleased every one with
whom she came in c