ine that you can _compel_ me to say _anything_?" Mona burst
forth, with stinging contempt, her patience all gone. "Let this be the
last time that you ever waylay or persecute me with your attentions,
for, I give you fair warning, a repetition of such conduct on your part
will send me straight to Mrs. Montague with a full report of it."

The young man looked decidedly crestfallen at this spirited threat.

There was but one person in the world of whom he stood in awe, and that
was his aunt, Margaret Montague.

He well knew that it would not be for his interest to offend her, and, of
all things, he would dread most a revelation of what had occurred in the
library that morning, notwithstanding he had affirmed to Mona that he was
willing to proclaim his affection before her and the whole world.

Besides, if it should come to the ears of Kitty McKenzie, his prospects
of a marriage with that pretty and wealthy young lady would be blighted,
and no end of trouble would follow, for Mrs. Montague had determined
to effect a union between them, and if he should go contrary to her
wishes, she could make it very uncomfortable for him pecuniarily.

Still, he was deeply smitten with the beautiful young seamstress, and was
rapidly becoming more so every time he met her.

He had promised himself the pleasure of a secret flirtation with her,
while at the same time he intended to continue his attentions to Miss
McKenzie in public, and he did not like to be balked in his purpose.

He saw that he could never intimidate her into any concessions; she was
far too high-spirited and straightforward; so he must adopt other
measures if he would win.

"Certainly you shall pass, if you wish," he said, respectfully, as he
stepped aside; "but please do not be quite so unkind; and, by the way,
can you tell me what the old codger down below meant by his son being
upset about the diamonds?"

He knew well enough, for of course he had seen the accounts of the affair
in the papers; but he had an object in wishing to find out how much Mona
knew.

"No, I cannot," she coldly replied, as, with uplifted head and haughty
bearing, she passed him and entered Mrs. Montague's room.

While this incident was occurring in the hall of the second story, Mr.
Amos Palmer was being introduced to the company below.

His advent caused quite a flutter of excitement among the young ladies;
for most of them were acquainted with Ray, who for nearly two years had
been a