imated, fed on
her beauty. He had come to the belief that only the lightest barriers
stood between himself and Evelyn Langham, and it was a question in his
mind of just how much he would be willing to sacrifice for her sake. He
boasted nothing in the way of position or reputation, and no act of his
could possibly add to the disfavor in which he was already held; but to
leave Mount Hope meant certain definite financial losses; this had
served as a check on his ardor, for where money was concerned Gilmore
was cautious. But his passion was coming to be the supreme thing in his
life; a fortunate chance had placed him where he now stood in relation
to her, and chance again, as unkind as it had been kind, might separate
them. The set of Gilmore's heavy jaws became tense with this thought and
with the ruthless strength of his purpose. He would shake down one
sensation for Mount Hope before he got away,--and he would not go alone.

"I suppose you were at the trial to-day?" Evelyn said.

"Yes, I was there for a little while this afternoon," he answered. "It's
rather tame yet, they're still fussing over the jury."

"How is Jack bearing it?" she asked.

Her question seemed to depress Gilmore.

"Why do you care about how he takes it? I don't suppose he sees any fun
in it,--he didn't look to me as if he did," he said slowly.

"But how did he _seem_ to you?"

"Oh, he's got nerve enough, if that's what you mean!"

"Poor Jack!" she murmured softly.

"If you're curious, why don't you go take a look at poor Jack? He'll be
there all right for the next few weeks," said the gambler, watching her
narrowly.

"I'm afraid Marsh might object."

At this Gilmore threw back his head and laughed.

"Excuse _me_!" he said; and in explanation of his sudden mirth, he
added: "The idea of your trotting out Marsh to me!"

"I'm not trotting him out to you,--as you call it," Evelyn said quietly,
but her small foot tapped the floor. She intended presently to rid
herself of Gilmore for all time.

"Yes, but I was afraid you were going to."

"You mustn't speak to me as you do; I have done nothing to give you the
privilege."

Gilmore did not seem at all abashed at this reproof.

"If you want to go to the trial I'll take you, and I'll agree to make it
all right with Marsh afterward; what do you say?" he asked.

Evelyn smiled brightly, but she did not explain to him the utter
impossibility of their appearing in public together either at the No