usiness enough in my way to put me speedily on my feet.
You must make your choice in view of the following facts: You can go
on living here, just as you are, two or three weeks longer, dallying
with opportunity. By that time, unless I get relief and help, I shall
reach the end of my resources, and creditors will take everything. The
Muirs cannot help me, and I don't believe they would in any event. I
am not on good terms with Henry Muir. If they go down now they will be
thoroughly cleaned out. Arnault has long been devoted to you, and you
could have unbounded influence over him if you acted in the line of
his ruling passion. It would gratify his pride and add to the world's
good opinion of him if I prospered also. In plain English, we may all
be in a tenement house in a month, or I on safe ground and you the
affianced wife of a rich man."

"Well," said Stella, coldly, "you have given me facts enough. It's a
pity you couldn't have brought me something better from Wall Street
after all these years."

"What have you brought to me during these past years," he demanded,
sternly, "but constant requests for money, and the necessity for
incessant effort to meet new phases of extravagance? You have not
asked what was kind, merciful, and true, but what was the latest
style. Few days pass but that I am reminded of you by a bill for
some frippery or other; but how often am I reminded of you by acts of
filial thoughtfulness, by words of sympathy in my hard battle of life
when I am present, or by genial letters when absent? I have spent
three hot days in the city seeking chiefly your interest, and a more
mechanical, perfunctory thing never existed than your kiss of greeting
to-night. There was as much feeling in it as in the quarter that I
handed to the stage-driver. I have spent thousands on your education,
but you don't sing for me, you don't read to me, you never think of
soothing my overtaxed nerves by cheerful, hopeful talk. Were I a steel
automaton, supplying your wants, I should answer just as well, and in
that case you might remember the laws of matter and apply a little oil
occasionally. What are the motives of your life but dress, admiration,
excitement, a rapid succession of men to pass under your baleful
fascination, and then to pass on crippled in soul for having known
you? Unless you can give Graydon Muir a loving woman's heart, and mean
to cling to him for worse as well as better, you will commit a crime
before God a