on't come near me," she returned angrily. "What do you
mean by entering the house without ringing?"

"I came in with your brother, as I often do," he answered coldly, in
self-justification. "We came in the side way. He went upstairs and I
came in here hoping to find you. The explanation is simple enough and
ought to satisfy you that the misadventure was unavoidable. But do say
that you forgive me, Nathalie," he entreated, softening.

"Forgive you! You don't know what you are talking about. Let me pass. It
depends upon--a good deal whether I ever forgive you."

At that next reception which she and Brantain had been talking about she
approached the young man with a delicious frankness of manner when she
saw him there.

"Will you let me speak to you a moment or two, Mr. Brantain?" she asked
with an engaging but perturbed smile. He seemed extremely unhappy;
but when she took his arm and walked away with him, seeking a retired
corner, a ray of hope mingled with the almost comical misery of his
expression. She was apparently very outspoken.

"Perhaps I should not have sought this interview, Mr. Brantain;
but--but, oh, I have been very uncomfortable, almost miserable since
that little encounter the other afternoon. When I thought how you might
have misinterpreted it, and believed things"--hope was plainly gaining
the ascendancy over misery in Brantain's round, guileless face--"Of
course, I know it is nothing to you, but for my own sake I do want you
to understand that Mr. Harvy is an intimate friend of long standing.
Why, we have always been like cousins--like brother and sister, I may
say. He is my brother's most intimate associate and often fancies that
he is entitled to the same privileges as the family. Oh, I know it
is absurd, uncalled for, to tell you this; undignified even," she was
almost weeping, "but it makes so much difference to me what you think
of--of me." Her voice had grown very low and agitated. The misery had
all disappeared from Brantain's face.

"Then you do really care what I think, Miss Nathalie? May I call you
Miss Nathalie?" They turned into a long, dim corridor that was lined on
either side with tall, graceful plants. They walked slowly to the very
end of it. When they turned to retrace their steps Brantain's face was
radiant and hers was triumphant.

Harvy was among the guests at the wedding; and he sought her out in a
rare moment when she stood alone.

"Your husband," he said, smiling, "