Now the Morris house was curiously constructed. The main stairway and a stairway leading to a side entrance converged at the second landing, thus making it possible for any one to leave the house more privately, should he so desire, than by the more formal way. After leaving Northrup in the reception-room, the maid was stopped by Miss Anna Morris somewhere in the hall. A hurried whispered conversation ensued and made possible what dramatically followed. A door above opened--the library door--and it seemed to set free Kathryn's nervous, metallic laugh and Sandy Arnold's hard, indignant words: "What's the hurry? I guess I understand." Almost it seemed as if the girl were pushing the man before her. "I was good enough to pass the time with; pay for your fun while you weighed the chances." "Please, Sandy, you are cruel." Kathryn was pleading. "Cruel be damned! And what are you? I want you--you've told me that you loved me--what's the big idea?" "Oh! Sandy, do lower your voice. Aunt Anna will think the servants are quarrelling." "All right." Sandy's voice sank a degree. "But I'm going to put this to you square----" The two above had come to the dividing stairways. "What in thunder!" Sandy gave a coarse laugh. "Keeping to the servant notion, eh? Want me to go out the side door? Why?" "Oh! Sandy, you won't mind?--I have a reason, I'll tell you some day." There was a pause, a scuffle. Then: "Sandy, you are hurting me!" "All right, don't struggle then. Listen. I'm going away for two weeks. You promise if Northrup comes home, during that time, to tell him?" "Yes; yes, dear," the words came pantingly smothered. "All right, and if you don't, I will! I'm not the kind to see a woman sacrifice herself for duty. By the Lord! Northrup shall know from you--or me! Now kiss me!" There were the hurried steps--down the side stairs! Then flying ones to the library--the maid was on her way with her message--but Northrup dashed past her, nearly knocking her over. He strode heavily to the library door, which had been left open, and stood there. A devil rose in him as he gazed at the girl, a bit dishevelled, but lovely beyond words. For a moment, smiling and cruel, he thought he would let her incriminate herself; he would humiliate her and then fling her off. But this all passed like a blinding shock. Kathryn had turned at his approach. She stood at bay. He frightened her. Had he heard? Or was it mad passion that held him? Had he just come to the house refusing to be announced? "Brace! Brace!" she cried, her lovely eyes widening. "You have come." Kathryn stepped slowly forward, her arms outstretched. She looked as a captive maiden might before the conqueror whose slave she was willing to become. As she advanced Northrup drew back. He reached a chair and gripped it. Then he said quietly: "You see, I happened to hear you and Arnold." Kathryn's face went deadly white.