Mr. Arnault came forward with smiling lips, light words, yet resolute eyes. Graydon felt that he had received all the assurance that he needed--that she was under some necessity of keeping his rival in good-humor--so he smiled significantly into her eyes, and bowed himself away. "Muir looked as if he had received all the comfort that he required," Arnault said, as they strolled across the parlor, now deserted. "Did he? Well, he did not require very much." "How much?" "You had better ask him." "Stella," he said, and there was a suggestion of menace in his tone, "I'm in earnest now. You will soon have to choose between us." "Shall I?" she replied, bending upon him an arch, bewildering smile. "Then please don't speak as if I had no choice at all;" and she was going. "Wait," he said. "Will you drive with me to-morrow?" "Yes. Is there anything else your lordship would like?" He seized her hand, and held it in both his. "This," he said. "Is that all?" was her laughing reply, as she withdrew it. "I wish you had more of Mr. Muir's diffidence;" and she vanished before he could speak again. Graydon found that Madge had retired, so that there was no chance for him to speak to her that night; but his mind was in too happy a tumult to give her much thought. CHAPTER XVI DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE Mrs. Muir came into Madge's room for a bit of the gossip that she dearly loved, but, as usual, obtained little information or surmise from the young girl. "I'm glad you came down," she said, "if only to prove to Graydon that you were not moping upstairs." "Why should I mope upstairs?" Madge asked, with a keen look at her sister. "No reason that I know of, only Graydon has been slightly spoiled by his success among ladies, and society men are always imagining that girls are languishing for them." "Have I given him or anyone such an impression?" Madge again inquired, indignantly. "Oh, no, indeed! On the contrary, you seem so indifferent as not to be quite natural. Even Graydon feels it, and is perplexed and troubled. He was inquiring for you during the evening, and I told him you were kindly caring for Jack, so that I might have a little fresh air with Henry on the piazza."