Passing a few feet near them were John Thorpe and Mrs. Harris, who had appeared unnoticed from another part of the grounds. John Thorpe plainly heard Rutley's allusion to Corway and his wife, and became profoundly sensible of that same strange feeling infolding him, as he experienced when Virginia first intimated Corway's questionable character. "Is it possible that, after all, Constance, and not Hazel, is the real object of his attention?" He was conscious of a sense of jealousy arising within him, and so strong and virulent as to be beyond control, and compelled him to turn aside, to conceal the anger that must be depicted on his face. He halted while Mrs. Harris joined Virginia and Mr. Harris. "Mrs. Thorpe is most attractive," Hazel at length replied. "I have heard that not long ago he was attached to Miss Thorpe, but lately has transferred his affection to another," continued Rutley. "Virginia was fond of his society, yet 'tis not always, you may remember, that those who have won our love return it." The strains of dreamy music drifted out upon the air. "Well, at present, Corway seems persistent in his attentions to Mrs. Thorpe." Again John Thorpe winced at the connection of his wife's name with Corway. And then Rutley felt himself pushed aside, while Corway offered his arm to Hazel. "Will you accompany me to the ball-room?" Hazel drew a step aside and exclaimed, half angrily, yet seemingly rather pleased at Corway's audacity. "Joe!" "Hazel!" he responded with just the faintest suggestion of command in his voice. It was his first assumption of authority over his affianced, and he won--for unlike the "feminine forwards" of the new school, she appreciated his strong character and showed it by clinging to his arm. Neither of these two men could be considered handsome, though Corway had the advantage of being more youthful and taller of stature, with large, bright eyes and dark curly hair, which with clear-cut, manly features, seemed to charm the fancy and captivate the maiden's eye. While Rutley's graceful and pliant frame carried more elegance, an assumed superb superiority, a cold, ironical disdain and lofty ease, bespoke an imperious nature, indifferent to that soft, beguilement so charming to women. Corway turned to Rutley, and, bowing low, exclaimed, with studied politeness: "I beg my lord's pardon," and so saying, he passed up the piazza steps with Hazel and disappeared within. They were closely followed by Mr. Harris and Mrs. Thorpe. Rutley fixed the monocle to his eye and stared at the retreating Corway in blank amazement. Meanwhile, John Thorpe was absorbed in profound thought, and oblivious of his surroundings, said to himself: "What can his lordship mean? Corway's persistent attention to my wife! Was that mere accidental gossip? He shall explain!" And he looked fixedly at Rutley.