r her to learn anything
from Mrs. Montague regarding her mother's history.

He had a terrible struggle within himself for a moment before he could
control his anger sufficiently to make any reply. But after two or three
vigorous puffs at his Havana, he managed to say, with some degree of
calmness, though with an undertone of sarcasm, which he could not
restrain, and which did not fail to make itself felt:

"Really, Hamblin, your philanthropic spirit is a great credit to you, and
doubtless Miss Richards would appreciate it if she could know of your
deep interest in her. But, if I am not mistaken, I have heard that you
are contemplating matrimony in another quarter--that Miss McKenzie is the
bright, particular star in your firmament; and she is really a charming
young lady in my estimation."

"Oh, Kitty is well enough," returned Mr. Hamblin, with a shrug of his
shoulders, "but a fellow doesn't quite relish having a girl thrust upon
him. Aunt Marg is set upon my marrying her, and it's human nature, you
know, never to want to do anything under compulsion, but to be inclined
to do just what you know you must not. Eh, Palmer?"

What could the fellow mean? Ray asked himself. Did he still suspect, in
spite of his efforts to conceal the fact, who Ruth Richards really was?
And did he mean to imply, by his moralizing, that he knew how Ray longed
to thrash him for his insolence, and yet knew he must not, for fear of
compromising the girl he loved?

Then, too, he could not help despising him for the slighting and
insulting way in which he had spoken of Kitty McKenzie, who, he felt, was
far too true and lovely a girl to throw herself away upon such a flippant
and unprincipled fellow.

He knew that he could not tamely submit to much more conversation of such
a nature, so he merely replied in an absent tone.

"Perhaps." Then tossing away his cigar, he added: "I believe I heard a
clock strike two a few moments ago. I think I shall go in and retire, as
I have important business to attend to in the morning."

"Sure enough! I heard something about the case of the diamond robbery
coming off to-morrow," responded Mr. Hamblin, in an eager tone. "That was
a queer affair throughout, wasn't it?--and the story about the Bently
woman is another--it got into the papers in spite of all old Vanderheck's
efforts to bribe the reporters to silence. Do you credit the theory that
the same woman was concerned in both swindles?"

"I hardly know wh