r hand and put it within
his arm with a firmness that permitted no resistance. Arnault noted
the proceeding with a cynical smile.

"Stella," said her father, in a low, stern tone, "did you not promise
Mr. Arnault his answer this evening?"

"Answer my question first," she replied, bitterly. "Did Henry Muir
fail to-day? Of course he did not. You have been deceiving me."

"I did not deceive you--I was mistaken myself. But I warn you. Graydon
Muir is not at your side. He may not return. Arnault is waiting to
give you wealth and me safety, but he may not wait much longer. You
are taking worse risks than I ever incurred in the Street, and your
loss may be greater than any I have met with."

"Bah!" she replied, in anger. "I might have been engaged to Graydon
Muir this moment had I not listened to your croakings. I'll manage for
myself now;" and she broke away and joined her partner again.

After the dance was over she said, "Suppose we walk on the piazza; I'm
warm." She was cold and trembling. Arnault took his stand in the main
hall, where he and she could see the clock should she approach him
again. The last hour was rapidly passing. Miss Wildmere and her
attendant strolled leisurely the whole length of the piazza, but
Graydon was not to be seen. Then she led him through a hall whence
she could glance into the reception and reading rooms. The quest was
futile, and she passed Arnault unheedingly into the parlor, saying
that she was tired, and with her companion sat down where they could
be seen from the doorway and windows. But he thought her singularly
_distraite_ in her effort to maintain conversation.

"Oh," she thought, "he will come soon--he must come soon! I must--I
_must_ see him before I retire!"

Arnault meantime maintained his position in the hall, chatting and
laughing with an acquaintance. She could see him, and there was little
in his manner to excite apprehension. He occasionally looked toward
her, but she tried to appear absorbed in conversation with the man
whom she puzzled by her random words. Arnault also saw that her eyes
rested in swift, eager scrutiny on every one who entered from without,
and that the two hands of the clock were pointing closely toward
midnight.

The parlor was becoming deserted. Those whom the beauty of the night
had lured without were straggling in, the man at her side was growing
curious and interested, and he determined to maintain his position as
long as she would.

He wa