at discovery. I mean to profit by their example."

"You mean never to marry at all?" asked Jacqueline, and sighed a little;
so far and fast does maiden fancy roam once it slips the leash.

Channing was not unaware of that sigh, and not displeased by it. But
what he did fail to notice was the smile that immediately succeeded it;
a demure and secret smile which said more plainly than words, "We shall
see, Mr. Percival Channing! We shall see!"

The word "forbidden" had always upon young Jacqueline an opposite effect
to that intended.

Hours passed as if on wings. Farwell, so they were informed by a correct
man-servant at the door, was away for the afternoon and evening, so that
they had the house to themselves. Jacqueline went from room to beautiful
room of the bachelor establishment, lost in admiration of the
ivory-paneled walls, the charming pictures, the delicate French
furniture and brocade hangings of the bedrooms, each with a marble bath
attached that was luxurious enough for a Roman emperor.

"To think of just a man having things like this!" she marveled.

It was her first glimpse of luxury, a thing unknown to the rough and
simple comfort of Storm. Vaguely it oppressed her. She felt shy for the
first time in her life, self-conscious. It seemed to her that her
gestures were awkward, her voice too big and crude. Channing detected
the chagrin in her expressive face, and had the tact to lure her into
the music room, where she forgot herself entirely.

Music was far more of a passion with the girl than Kate Kildare was
capable of realizing. She had done what she could to cultivate in both
her daughters a taste that had been in her day part of the education of
every lady. She herself enjoyed music, and she intended to supplement
their singing and piano lessons with occasioned visits to Cincinnati to
hear grand opera. There was an excellent musical library at Storm, and
the best records to be had for the graphophone were sent to her
regularly. She felt that from a musical standpoint she was doing her
full duty by her children.

Of the physical reaction that music produces in some finely strung
temperaments, Kate knew nothing at all. Jacqueline's was a nature
similar to hers, but far less balanced, and lacking as yet an outlet for
its abounding energy. There were possibilities in her which would have
startled the mother, had she guessed them.

Percival Channing, with his carefully developed flair for character
stu