e.
I think their characters are often suggested quite definitely by their
tones. Indeed, I even find myself judging people by their voices.
Henry's tones indicate many of his chief traits accurately--as, for
instance, self-reliance, reserve, quiet and unswerving purpose."

"Well," asked Mrs. Muir, who was a little obtuse on delicate points,
"what did Miss Wildmere's tones indicate?"

Graydon was slightly taken aback, and suddenly found that he did not
like his theory so well as he had thought. "Miss Wildmere's tones," he
began, hesitatingly, "suggested this morning little more than a
desire to render well the music she sang, and to give pleasure to her
listeners."

"I thought they suggested some self-complacency, which was lost before
the morning was over," added Mr. Muir, dryly.

"Miss Wildmere sang admirably," exclaimed Madge, warmly, "and could
sing much better if she had been trained in a better method and gave
more time to the art. I sang hours every day for nearly two years.
Nothing will take the place of practice, Graydon. One must develop
voice like muscle."

"You are a generous, sensible critic, Madge," he said, quietly,
although there was a flush of resentment on his face at his brother's
words. "In the main you are right, but I still hold to my theory.
At least, I believe that in all great music there is a subtle
individuality and _motif_. Love may be blind, but it is not deaf. Miss
Wildmere gave us good music, not great music."

Mr. Muir began talking about the weather as if it were the only
subject in his mind, and soon afterward Madge went to her room with
bowed head and downcast heart.

"I have no chance," she sighed. "He loves her, and that ends all. He
is loyal to her, and will be loyal, even though she breaks his heart
eventually, as I fear. It's his nature."

CHAPTER XXII

DISHEARTENING CONFIDENCES

Under a renewed impulse of loyalty Graydon intercepted Miss Wildmere
as she was going to her room, and said: "The clouds in the west are
all breaking away--they ever do, you know, if one has patience. We can
still have our drive and enjoy it all the more from hope deferred."

"I'm so sorry," she began, in some embarrassment. "Of course I
couldn't know last night that it would rain in the morning, and so
promised Mr. Arnault this afternoon."

"It seems as if it would ever be hope deferred to me, Miss Wildmere,"
he said, gravely.

"But, Graydon, you must see how it is--"

"No, I d