"Curse it all," exclaimed Stanton impetuously, "I feel to-night as if that were higher than I can ever rise. I never was afraid of a woman before; but no 'divinity' ever 'hedged a king' like that which fills me with an indescribable awe when I approach this unassuming little woman who usually seems no more formidable than a flickering sunbeam. I agree with you now. She has evidently had some deep experience in the past that gives to her character a power and depth that we only half understand. I wish I knew her better." "Good-night," said Van Berg, a little abruptly; "I think that after this evening's experience, neither of us is in the mood for further talk." Stanton looked after him with a lowering brow and muttered: "Is he so sensitive on this subject? By Jove. I'm sorry! I fear we must become rivals, Van. And yet," he added with a despairing gesture, "what chance would I have with him against me?" "I could not hear distinctly," Sibley had remarked as Ida took his arm and walked away from her post of observation. "Were you disgusted with his pious wail on general principles, or did something in his theology offend you?" "It's enough that I was not pleased," she replied briefly. "Little wonder. I'm surprised you stood it so long. Van Berg and Stanton are nice fellows to lead a conventicle. I think I'll take a hand at it myself next Sunday evening, and certainly would with your support. I'll say nothing of the singer, but if you will go with me to the rustic seat in yonder shady walk, I'll sing you a song that I know will be more to your taste than any you have heard this evening." "Please excuse me, Mr. Sibley; I'm afraid of the night air." "You are unusually prudent," he said, a little tauntingly. "Which proves that I possess at least one good quality," she replied. "Perhaps if Mr. Van Berg asked you to go you would take the risk." "Perhaps I might," she admitted, half unconsciously and from the mere force of habit, giving the natural answer of a coquette. "He had better not cross my path," said Sibley, with sudden vindictiveness. "Come, come!" replied Miss Mayhew, with a careless laugh, "let's have no high tragedy. I'm in no mood for it to-night, and you have no occasion for alarm. If he crosses your path he will step daintily over it at right angles." At that moment Van Berg came out on the piazza. Although he could not hear her words, her laugh and tones jarred unpleasantly on his ear. "Yonder is a genuine affinity," he muttered, "which I was a fool to think I could break up;" and with a slight contemptuous gesture he turned on his heel and went to his room. "I cannot altogether understand you this evening, Miss Mayhew," said Sibley, with some resentment in his tone. "You are not to blame for that, Mr. Sibley, for I do not understand myself. I have not felt well to-day, and so had better say good-night." But before she could leave him he seized her hand and exclaimed, in his soft, insinuating tones: