him exceedingly pathetic. She made as if she would speak but could
not, then retreated hastily to her room. Once in seclusion she dashed
the drops away, her eyes glittered with anger, and she stamped her
foot on the floor and muttered: "It is indeed an abominable position.
I might accept Graydon any day, any hour, now, and dare not. Yet if
he gets an inkling of my real attitude he'll be off forever. He is as
proud as Lucifer about some things, and would be quick as a flash
if his suspicions were aroused. Even the belief that I am humoring
Arnault for papa's sake tests his loyalty greatly. If I have to refuse
him at last I shall be placed in an odious light. The idiots! why
can't they find out whether Henry Muir is going to fail or not! That
horrid Madge Alden is not his sister, and knows it, and she is gaining
time to make impressions. I know how she felt years ago, when she was
a perfect spook. I don't believe she's changed. With all her impulsive
ways she's as deep as perdition, and she'd flirt with him to spite
me, if nothing more. Papa said last night that I had better accept
Arnault. I won't accept him till I must, and he'll rue his success if
he wins it." Then the mirror reflected a lovely creature dissolved in
tears.

Again she soliloquized: "I can't accept a horse from Graydon; Arnault
would never submit to it. The receiving of such a present would
compromise me at once. It does not matter so much what I say or look
in private; this proves nothing to the world, and I see more and more
clearly that Arnault will not permit his pride to be humiliated. He
will endure what he calls a fair, open suit philosophically, but the
expression of his eyes makes me shiver sometimes. Was ever a girl
placed in such a mean and horrible position! I won't endure this
shilly-shally much longer. If they can't prove something more definite
against the Muirs, I'll accept Graydon. Papa is just horrid! Why can't
he make more in Wall Street? There must be ways, and any way is as
respectable as the one I may be compelled to take. Well, if I do have
to accept Arnault I'll make Graydon think that I had to do so for
papa's sake, and we'll become good friends again before long. Perhaps
this would be the best way in the end, for papa looked wildly, and
spoke of a tenement-house last night. Tenement! Great heavens! I'd
sooner die."

CHAPTER XX

"VEILED WOOING"

"Graydon, when do you think I can have my first ride?" Madge asked at