rds, or to withhold blows; yet each
instinctively felt that this was an occasion rather for self-restraint.
In both minds the same thought lingered--the vague wonder how much the
other knew. The elder man, however, retained the better self-control,
and was first to break the silence.

"Miss Gillis informed me of your kindness to her last evening," he
said, quietly, "and in her behalf I sincerely thank you. Permit me to
offer you a chair."

Brant accepted it, and sat down, feeling the calm tone of
proprietorship in the words of the other as if they had been a blow.
His face flushed, yet he spoke firmly. "Possibly I misconstrue your
meaning," he said, with some bluntness, determined to reach the gist of
the matter at once. "Did Miss Gillis authorize you to thank me for
these courtesies?"

Hampton smiled with provoking calmness, holding an unlighted cigar
between his fingers. "Why, really, as to that I do not remember. I
merely mentioned it as expressing the natural gratitude of us both."

"You speak as if you possessed full authority to express her mind as
well as your own."

The other bowed gravely, his face impassive. "My words would quite
naturally bear some such construction."

The officer hesitated, feeling more doubtful than ever regarding his
own position. Chagrined, disarmed, he felt like a prisoner standing
bound before his mocking captor. "Then I fear my mission here is
useless."

"Entirely so, if you come for the purpose I suspect," said Hampton,
sitting erect in his chair, and speaking with more rapid utterance.
"To lecture me on morality, and demand my yielding up all influence
over this girl,--such a mission is assured of failure. I have listened
with some degree of calmness in this room already to one such address,
and surrendered to its reasoning. But permit me to say quite plainly,
Lieutenant Brant, that you are not the person from whom I will quietly
listen to another."

"I had very little expectation that you would."

"You should have had still less, and remained away entirely. However,
now that you are here, and the subject broached, it becomes my turn to
say something, and to say it clearly. It seems to me you would exhibit
far better taste and discrimination if from now on you would cease
forcing your attentions upon Miss Gillis."

Brant leaped to his feet, but the other never deigned to alter his
position.

"Forcing my attentions!" exclaimed the officer. "God's mercy, ma