have hard work getting into
her good graces."

"You are a sly one, Louis."

"One must look out for one's own interests in some respects," he coolly
responded.

"Does she know that you suspect her identity?"

"No, not yet; but I mean she soon shall."

"Ah!" said Mrs. Montague, with sudden thought, "maybe you can use this
knowledge to aid your suit--only don't let her know that I am in the
secret until you are sure of her."

"That has been my intention all along--for I have meant to marry her, by
hook or crook," and the young man smiled complacently.

"Look out, Louis; don't overreach yourself," said his companion, bending
forward, and looking warningly into his face. "If you make an enemy of
me, I warn you, it will be the worse for you."

"My dear aunt, I have no intention of making an enemy of you--you and I
have been chums too long for any ill-will to spring up between us now.
But," he concluded, looking about him, "we must not remain here talking
any longer; most of the passengers have already left the boat I will go
for a carriage and we will drive directly to the St. Charles, where I
have rooms engaged for you."

Mrs. Montague turned to call Mona, who was standing at some distance from
them, watching the men unload the boat.

"Come," she said, "we must go ashore."

Mona followed her from the boat, and into the carriage, utterly ignoring
Louis Hamblin's assistance as she entered. She shrank more and more from
him, while a feeling of depression and foreboding suddenly changed her
from the bright, care-free girl, which she had seemed ever since leaving
St. Louis, into a proud, reticent, and suspicious woman.

Upon reaching the St. Charles Hotel, Mrs. Montague informed Mona that
dinner would be served shortly, and she would need to be expeditious in
making her toilet.

"I should prefer not to go to the dining-room," Mona began, flushing.

"But I wish you to, for we are going to drive afterward to some of the
points of interest in the city," Mrs. Montague returned.

"If you will excuse me--"

"Nonsense," retorted her companion, again interrupting her; "don't be a
goose, Ruth! I want you with me, and we will not discuss the point any
further."

Mona hesitated a moment, then turned away, but with a dignity which
warned Mrs. Montague that it might not be well to enforce her commands
too rigorously, or she might rebel outright.

Mona went down to the dining-room, but to her great relief received no
d