elf proof against all the darts of Cupid, he had yet gone down helplessly before the fire of a girl's dar

l versed in the signs of love not to interpret aright Nita's looks and blushes. It o

ry mutually made that our hearts had leaped to meet each other. Sh

ught that it might be Nita already returning. But it was only Azalea Courtney,

iss Farnham was with you?"

ed his sweet love-reverie, and out of mere perversity he refused t

his indifference he was mistaken. She slipped into the

short visit. I fear you did

eel compelled to leave Gray Gables immediately, and be jolt

oved. Besides, what does it matter what that girl thinks, so long as

real mistress here. Remember your mama is only her salar

d prettily a

my poverty-you forget the past," she h

, pardon me, but it is bad

er forgive?-never permit

ough dismissing an unwelcome subject, and half-buried

spasm of mingled pain and bitterness crossed the pr

o you like M

knew, too, that she deserved it. He looked straight int

s char

e white hand pressed against her side

ea darted from her seat and left the room as precipitately as Nita had done a while ago-left the room to h

visitor, Dorian Mountcastle dismissed all thoughts of her,

ore than beauty. With closed eyes he lay silent, breathing the fragrance of the roses by

ror, his heart throbbing painfully. What was the sound that had aw

ngled voice, and the door opened

and cobwebs, her slender hands grimy with dust, outstretched before her like a sleep-walker's,

of agony, as she sank with a long, quiverin

e had not noticed before, a serpent, with eyes and scales of quivering greenish fire.

ed dark eyes to his face. Their expression was piteou

ong door-and-was lost-o

ng her hastily toward him, her pale face sank up

could not resist the temptation. The dark curls on her white brow

lightly, and his eag

ed slightly, opened her eyes in a dreamy fashion, realized eve

, but ere she could reply the door opened, and Mrs. Hill, her faithful nurse, entere

rnham went out at that door yonder, got lost in the winding corridors, and fo

drawing the kindly housekeeper toward the