end. She was no coward, this beautiful,
imperious girl. She would die hard. Alas! she had been too sanguine,
hoping Lester Stanwick would not return before the ceremony was
performed.

The last hope died out of that proud, passionate heart--as well hope
to divert a tiger from its helpless prey as expect Lester Stanwick to
relinquish any plans he had once formed.

"I have fought my fight," she said to herself, "and have failed on the
very threshold of victory, still, I know how to bear defeat. What do
you propose to do?" she said, huskily. "If there is any way I can buy
your silence, name your price, keeping back the truth will avail me
little now. I love Rex, and no power on earth shall prevent me from
becoming his wife."

Lester Stanwick smiled superciliously--drawing from his pocket a
package of letters.

"Money could not purchase these charming _billets-doux_ from me," he
said. "This will be charming reading matter for the Honorable Rex
Lyon, and the general public to discuss."

She raised her flashing eyes unflinchingly to his face, but no word
issued from her white lips.

"A splendid morsel for the gossips to whisper over. The very refined
and exclusive heiress of Whitestone Hall connives to remove an
innocent rival from her path, by providing money for her to be sent
off secretly to boarding-school, from which she is to be abducted and
confined in a mad-house. Your numerous letters give full instructions;
it would be useless to deny these accusations. I hold proof
positive."

"That would not screen you," she said, scornfully.

"I did not carry out your plans. No matter what the intentions were,
the points in the case are what actually happened. I can swear I
refused to comply with your nefarious wishes, even though you promised
me your hand and fortune if I succeeded," he answered, mockingly.

"Will not money purchase your silence?" she said, with a deep-drawn
breath. "I do not plead with you for mercy or compassion," she said,
haughtily.

Lester Stanwick laughed a mocking laugh.

"Do not mistake me, Miss Pluma," he said, making no attempt at
love-making; "I prefer to wrest you from Rex Lyon. I have contemplated
with intense satisfaction the blow to his pride. It will be a glorious
revenge, also giving me a charming bride, and last, but not least, the
possession at some future day of Whitestone Hall and the Hurlhurst
Plantations. A pleasing picture, is it not, my dear?"

CHAPTER XXXII.