f Miss Burgoyne learns that he is fretting over this
engagement, she will release him at once. No woman could be so shameless
as to keep him to an unwilling bargain--"

"I am not so sure about that," Mangan made answer. "She may think she
has affection for two, and that all will be well. It is a good match for
her. His position in his profession and in society will be advantageous
to her. Then she may be vain of her conquest--so many different motives
may come in. But the chief point is that Linn doesn't want to be
released from this engagement; he declares he will abide by it--if only
she doesn't expect him to be very affectionate. It is an extraordinary
imbroglio altogether; I am beginning to believe that all the time he has
been in love with that Italian girl whom he knew in Naples, and who was
in the New Theatre for a while, and that now he has made the discovery,
when it is too late, he doesn't care what happens to him. She has gone
away; he has no idea where she is; here he is engaged to Miss Burgoyne,
and quite willing to marry her; and in the meantime he plays cards
heavily to escape from thinking. In fact, he is not taking the least
care of himself, and you would be surprised at the change in his
appearance already. It isn't like Linn Moore to talk of going to bed
when he ought to be setting out for a dinner-party; and the worst of it
is, he won't pay any heed to what you say to him. But something must be
done; Linn is too good a fellow to be allowed to go to the mischief
without some kind of protest or interference."

"If you like," said Miss Francie, slowly, "I will go to Miss Burgoyne.
She is a woman; she could not but listen. She cannot want to bring
misery on them both."

"No," said he, with a little show of authority. "Whatever we may
try--not that. I have heard that Miss Burgoyne has a bit of a temper."

"I am not afraid," said his companion, simply.

"No, no. If that were the only way, I should propose to go to Miss
Burgoyne myself," he said. "But, you see, the awkward thing is that
neither you nor I have any right to appeal to her, so long as Linn is
willing to fulfil the engagement. We don't know her; we could not
remonstrate as a friend of her own might. If we were to interfere on his
behalf, she would immediately turn to him; and he is determined not to
back out."

"Then what is to be done, Mr. Mangan?" she exclaimed, in despair.

"I--I don't quite see at present," he answered her. "I thought