think it would be
comparatively easy to convince any court that your father was not of
sound mind when he drew it. You see, Senor Silva," I added, "that
there is at once a conflict of interests."

But Silva shook his head with a little smile.

"There is no conflict," he said. "If Miss Vaughan does not approve her
father's wishes, they are as though they were not!"

"I do approve them" the girl cried passionately, her hands against
her heart. "I do approve them!"

"All of them?" I asked.

She swung full upon me, her eyes aflame.

"Yes, all of them!" she cried. "Oh, Master, receive me!" and she flung
herself on her knees by Silva's chair.

CHAPTER XXI

THE VISION IN THE CRYSTAL

Silva laid a hand tenderly upon the bowed head, as though in
benediction, but I could have sworn there was unholy triumph in his
eyes. I caught but a glimpse of it, for he veiled them instantly and
bowed his head, and his lips moved as if in prayer. The kneeling
figure was quivering with sobs; I could hear them in her throat; and
my heart turned sick as I saw how she permitted his caressing touch.
Then, suddenly, she sprang, erect, and, without a glance at me,
hurried from the room.

There was silence for a moment, then Silva arose and faced me.

"You see how it is, Mr. Lester," he said.

"Yes," I answered drily, "I see how it is."

I refolded the will, slipped it back into its envelope, restored it to
the drawer, made sure that all the packets were there, too, replaced
the drawer in the safe, closed the door, twirled the knob, swung the
shelves into place in front of it, and finally, my self-control
partially regained, turned back to Silva.

"Well," I said, and my voice sounded very flat, "let us sit down and
talk it over."

He wheeled his chair around to face me and sat down. I looked at him
in silence for a moment. The man was virile, dominant; there was in
his aspect something impressive and compelling. Small wonder this
child of nineteen had found herself unable to stand against him!

"I know what is in your mind," he said, at last. "But, after all, it
was her father's wish. That should weigh with you."

"Her father was mad."

"I deny it. He was very sane. He found the Way, and he has set her
feet upon it."

"What way?" I demanded. "Where does it lead?"

"The Way of life. It leads to peace and happiness."

He uttered the words as with finality; but I shrugged them impatiently
away.

"Don't float off int