“How much more bitter would have been his feelings had he seen her captured by another! As Apollo was wounded by Cupid’s dart thus have I been wounded. Inza, listen to me, I beg! Put off your marriage with Merriwell for a time. Your feelings toward him may change. Perhaps—perhaps——” “It is folly for you to dream of such a thing.” “Then let me enjoy the sweet hope of folly for a time. Frank Merriwell is going to Mexico soon. Wait until he returns, and then, if you still——” “You do not understand. Fate has caused us to put off the event more than once.” “But your plans are not coming out as you had intended. There will be no double marriage, for Elsie cannot——” “How do you know about this?” “How do I know? I’ll tell you. After entering this house I was making my way to my room. I had to pass the door of the room occupied by you and Elsie. The door was a bit ajar. I heard you talking, and I could not help pausing——” In a moment her anger rose again. “So you listened! You played the eavesdropper!” “I couldn’t help it, for I heard you speaking of Merriwell. That name stopped me in my tracks. I beg a thousand pardons. I heard you say you were coming here for a book, and I scudded down the stairs to be here when you came, in order that I might see you and speak with you.” Inza had hoped to convince him of his folly without being harsh, but now she was again aroused. To her his action seemed mean and despicable. “Fine business eavesdropping at the door of a room and listening to the confidences of two girls!” she cried, her face flaming. “I did not wish to hurt you, but this confession of yours has filled me with unspeakable contempt. If there is anything I detest it is a person who plays the sneak!” He started as if struck in the face. It is possible he had not realized how contemptible his action would appear in her eyes, else he would not have told her he had listened. “Don’t!” he cried. But she had decided that to be merciless with him would be the greatest kindness. “I want you to understand how hopeless your case is,” she said. “If I had never seen Frank Merriwell I could not care for you! If you were the last fellow in the world I could not care for you! You repel me!” He lifted his hand, his fist clenched. “Don’t!” he exclaimed hoarsely. “I want you to know the exact truth, so you will not deceive yourself longer.” He stood still, his eyes fastened on her. Silence fell between them. She was the one who broke this silence. “Now you know; now you understand,” she said. “This will end it.” “No!” he declared. “This is not the end! It is the beginning!” “If you annoy me——” “I’ll never give up! I’ll win you from him—or I’ll kill him!” Fillmore fairly hissed the final words, and his face took on a look that frightened the girl. “How would that help you?” she demanded. “You would make me loathe you, and you would send yourself to the chair.”