ed rather faded beside this girl, upon whose heart the
dew still rested.

For the first time the thought passed consciously through his mind,
"Stella has never made me so happy as I have been the last few hours.
More than that, she never gave life an aspect so rich, sweet, and full
of noble possibility. Madge makes blase, shallow cynicism impossible
in a fellow."

As he danced with Miss Wildmere that evening, or sauntered with her on
the piazza or through secluded paths, the same tendency to comparisons
tormented him. He could not make himself believe that Miss Wildmere's
words were like the flow of a clear, bubbling spring, pure and sweet.
There was in them a sediment, the product of a life which had passed
through channels more and more distasteful to contemplate.

The next day he went to town to look after some business matters, and
returned by the latest train. To his surprise he found Madge absent,
and was immediately conscious of a vague sense of disappointment.

CHAPTER XXVI

MRS. MUIR'S ACCOUNT

After a light supper Graydon went in search of Stella, but she was
nowhere to be found, nor had the warm evening lured Mrs. Wildmere from
her room. He had learned that Arnault was still at the house, and he
inferred, from the surpassing beauty of the moonlit evening, that his
rival would not let such witching hours pass without an effort to turn
them to account. With a frown he retreated from the music, dancing,
and gayety of a full house, and went up to Mrs. Muir's room.

That lady was found writing to her husband, but she welcomed Graydon,
and began volubly: "I'm very glad you have come; I'm so full and
overflowing about Madge that I had to write to Henry."

"It certainly does seem an odd proceeding on her part--this remaining
all night at a farmhouse among strangers," was his discontented reply.

"It would be odd in any one but Madge. I do not think there
are many girls in this house who would be guilty of such
eccentricities--certainly not Miss Wildmere," she added, with a rather
malicious twinkle in her eyes. "If I were a man, I wouldn't stand it.
I've been on the alert somewhat to-day, for I don't wish to see you
made a fool of. That Mr. Arnault has been at her side the livelong
time, and he's out driving with her now."

"I understand all about that," said Graydon, impatiently; "tell me
about Madge."

"Perhaps you do, and perhaps you don't. It's certainly beyond my
comprehension," continued Mr