The promise given James Herbert dismissed the matter, but he filled up the next half-hour with the very cream of society gossip, which was undoubtedly as palatable to Eugenia as it would have been to any other woman. James Herbert lived within the inner circle, and as to-day, for purposes of his own, he spoke to Eugenia as if she were one of the initiated; his conversation was not without charm. He was clever to know when to trust. He had not the slightest fear that Eugenia would break her promise. So he cautioned Mrs. Cathcart to keep the little fool well within sight, and thus avoid danger of a chance meeting; to order the servants to refuse the sculptor admission if he ventured to call--and above all to be sure that Norgate had every opportunity of pressing his suit. After this he waited calmly, and did nothing more in the matter for six whole days. Days during which Gerald Leigh chafed and fretted. He refused to doubt, but his heart grew heavy within him. He felt sure that Mrs. Cathcart's visit boded no good. At last he could bear the suspense no longer. He called and asked for Eugenia. She was out. He called again--the same result. He went back to his studio and tried to conquer his growing uneasiness by hard work. One morning a gentleman called and introduced himself as James Herbert. Gerald received him courteously. Herbert was suave, smiling and bland. He spoke of the interest he felt in the young sculptor for his father, Mr. Herbert's sake. He admired some embryo designs, and wished and prophesied all success. Then, as Gerald began to hope that Eugenia's brother might some day be his friend, he turned upon him and tore him to pieces. "But, after all, Mr. Leigh, my great object in calling concerns my sister." Gerald grew very pale. "She is a good girl, but weak. She has confessed to me that some sort of romantic nonsense had passed between you." "She has vowed to be my wife--no more, no less." His impetuosity seemed to amuse Herbert. "I am afraid such a thing is an impossibility," he said serenely. "I shall not insult you by telling you she is all but penniless--geniuses, I know, never think of money--but I fear I must pain you by saying she repents of her hasty words." "That," said Gerald slowly, yet fiercely, "is a lie." "My good sir, I cannot allow you to use such words. My temper is fair, but it has its limits." "I apologize," said Gerald sullenly. "I should have said you were coercing her." "I never coerced any one in my life; much less my sister. Naturally, I shall object to her marriage with you; but that makes no difference." "Tell me what you have to tell," said Gerald nervously. He hated and feared this smooth, smiling man. "In a few words, then, my sister is unhappy and unsettled. For several days she has been trying to answer a letter you sent her. At last she confided all to me. I am sure I am not going too far when I say she would be glad to think that all boy and girl promises between you were forgotten."