and preserved the equality in which they had begun.

Without warning, the psychic battle between the two individualities began
afresh. This time both the positive and negative causes were all in
favour of the man. The woman was alone and in bad spirits, unsupported;
nothing at all was in her favour except the memory of the two victorious
contests; whereas the man, though unaided, as before, by either Lady
Arabella or Oolanga, was in full strength, well rested, and in
flourishing circumstances. It was not, therefore, to be wondered at that
his native dominance of character had full opportunity of asserting
itself. He began his preliminary stare with a conscious sense of power,
and, as it appeared to have immediate effect on the girl, he felt an ever-
growing conviction of ultimate victory.

After a little Lilla's resolution began to flag. She felt that the
contest was unequal--that she was unable to put forth her best efforts.
As she was an unselfish person, she could not fight so well in her own
battle as in that of someone whom she loved and to whom she was devoted.
Edgar saw the relaxing of the muscles of face and brow, and the almost
collapse of the heavy eyelids which seemed tumbling downward in sleep.
Lilla made gallant efforts to brace her dwindling powers, but for a time
unsuccessfully. At length there came an interruption, which seemed like
a powerful stimulant. Through the wide window she saw Lady Arabella
enter the plain gateway of the farm, and advance towards the hall door.
She was clad as usual in tight-fitting white, which accentuated her thin,
sinuous figure.

The sight did for Lilla what no voluntary effort could have done. Her
eyes flashed, and in an instant she felt as though a new life had
suddenly developed within her. Lady Arabella's entry, in her usual
unconcerned, haughty, supercilious way, heightened the effect, so that
when the two stood close to each other battle was joined. Mr. Caswall,
too, took new courage from her coming, and all his masterfulness and
power came back to him. His looks, intensified, had more obvious effect
than had been noticeable that day. Lilla seemed at last overcome by his
dominance. Her face became red and pale--violently red and ghastly
pale--by rapid turns. Her strength seemed gone. Her knees collapsed,
and she was actually sinking on the floor, when to her surprise and joy
Mimi came into the room, running hurriedly and breathing heavily.

Lilla rush