imself, with a lover's ready jealousy, whether he had a rival to fear,
as well as a guardian to conciliate. The thought just crossed his mind,
and no more. The sense of Marguerite's kiss still lingering on his cheek
reminded him gently that even the jealousy of a moment was now a treason
to _her_.

On reflection, it seemed most likely that a personal motive of another
kind might suggest the true explanation of Obenreizer's conduct.
Marguerite's grace and beauty were precious ornaments in that little
household. They gave it a special social attraction and a special social
importance. They armed Obenreizer with a certain influence in reserve,
which he could always depend upon to make his house attractive, and which
he might always bring more or less to bear on the forwarding of his own
private ends. Was he the sort of man to resign such advantages as were
here implied, without obtaining the fullest possible compensation for the
loss? A connection by marriage with Vendale offered him solid
advantages, beyond all doubt. But there were hundreds of men in London
with far greater power and far wider influence than Vendale possessed.
Was it possible that this man's ambition secretly looked higher than the
highest prospects that could be offered to him by the alliance now
proposed for his niece? As the question passed through Vendale's mind,
the man himself reappeared--to answer it, or not to answer it, as the
event might prove.

A marked change was visible in Obenreizer when he resumed his place. His
manner was less assured, and there were plain traces about his mouth of
recent agitation which had not been successfully composed. Had he said
something, referring either to Vendale or to himself, which had raised
Marguerite's spirit, and which had placed him, for the first time, face
to face with a resolute assertion of his niece's will? It might or might
not be. This only was certain--he looked like a man who had met with a
repulse.

"I have spoken to my niece," he began. "I find, Mr. Vendale, that even
your influence has not entirely blinded her to the social objections to
your proposal."

"May I ask," returned Vendale, "if that is the only result of your
interview with Miss Obenreizer?"

A momentary flash leapt out through the Obenreizer film.

"You are master of the situation," he answered, in a tone of sardonic
submission. "If you insist on my admitting it, I do admit it in those
words. My niece's will a