he promised to marry him."

"She has withdrawn that promise."

"She has never said so."

"She has withdrawn it in choosing as she has chosen. They who serve in
the temple of Siva turn their backs on marriage."

I put the words away from me with a gesture.

"That means nothing to me," I said. "I know nothing of the temple of
Siva. I wish to know nothing, for mysticism repels me. But I do know
that she gave her word; I do know that she loved him."

"Earthly love fades and passes," said the yogi, solemnly. "She has
given her heart to the Master," and he made his gesture of reverence.

There was anger in my eyes as I looked at him. How was one to reply to
such jargon?

"I would point out to you, Senor Silva," I said, "that Miss Vaughan is
not yet of legal age, and so not quite her own mistress."

"Does your law interfere in matters of the heart?" he inquired
blandly; "or in matters of religion?"

"No," I said, flushing at his irony; "but the law demands that, until
she is of age, she have a guardian to protect her interests. I shall
ask that one be appointed at once."

"To that," said the yogi, mildly, "I have not the least objection. In
fact, Mr. Lester, I do not know why you should tell me your plans.
But, for some reason, you seem to regard me as an adversary. I am
not--I am no man's adversary. I object to nothing; I have no right to
object to anything. I am simply Miss Vaughan's friend and
well-wisher, and seek her happiness. I should like to be your friend
also."

"And Swain's?" I queried, a little brutally.

"The friend of all men," said the yogi, simply. "They are all my
brothers. We are children of the same Great Spirit."

I was silent for a moment. Then I took Swain's letter from my pocket.

"If you are sincere," I said, "you can easily prove it. I have a
letter here from Swain. He gave it to me to-day, and I promised to
give it to Miss Vaughan to-night."

Without a word, he crossed to the bell and rang it. The maid answered.

"Mr. Lester has a letter which you will give to your mistress," he said.

"And you will wait for an answer," I added.

The girl took the letter and went away. Silva sat down again, and when
I glanced at him, I saw that his eyes were closed. Five minutes
passed, and the girl appeared again at the door.

"Miss Vaughan says there is no answer, sir," she said, and let the
curtain fall into place again.

I made a gesture of despair; I felt that the game was lost.

"Afte