u say so, at the same hour."

"Stop one moment. I have one more request to make of you, which you can
hardly refuse, perverse as you seem to be. My client expressed the wish
that in case you should decide as you have done, you would call upon her
this evening at her own house."

Francis bit his lip. "I should be obliged to make the same answer."

"The subject, sir, will not be broached."

"Certainly, then, I will come."

It was with difficulty that I could restrain myself from rushing into
the room and falling at his feet; but when I knew that he was gone, I
went up to Mr. Chelm with the tears in my eyes.

"I did my best for you, Virginia. But the fellow is right. He is a
gentleman. I hated him for causing you such pain, but if he loves some
one else--well--one can scarcely blame him."

"I told you he would refuse me. Do not mind my tears; and promise me
that you will come to-night."

"What new mystery is this?"

"Never you mind; only promise that you will come."

* * * * *

How shall I describe that meeting? To begin with, I went home and broke
the news to Aunt Helen and Aunt Agnes that my husband to be was to pass
the evening with us, and for the moment did not break to them another
bit of news I had heard before leaving Mr. Chelm,--that the Honorable
Ernest Ferroll, having made a large fortune in the stock market through
the agency of Mr. Dale, had withdrawn it from his hands in time, so as
not to have it swallowed up by the failure, and had sailed for England.
It was money he wanted, not me.

But both my aunts, poor old ladies, fancied, I fear, that it was the
future Duke of Clyde who was to be the guest of the evening; and when
Francis Prime was ushered in, although he looked distinguished enough to
be a Prince, Aunt Helen, at least, suspected that there was something
wrong. As I afterwards learned, her air towards my lover was distant and
haughty; and as Aunt Agnes had begun of late to imitate her former
enemy, his reception was not cordial. But while he was looking from one
to another with some hesitation, Mr. Chelm, who was standing in one
corner of the room, by previous agreement pulled away the drapery that
covered the portrait of me painted by Paul Barr, which stood in the
middle of the room.

Francis gave a start, and flung up both his hands. "Who is that?" he
cried.

"That, sir, is my niece," replied Aunt Helen with haughtiness. "Are you
not acquainted with h