“Thanks; but I see Geoffrey coming for me; pray find some one else, Mr. Mapleson; I have already occupied more of your time and attention this evening than I ought,” the fair girl responded. “I could not bestow it more acceptably to myself anywhere else,” he replied, in a low, earnest tone, and detaining the hand which she would have withdrawn from his arm. At that instant Geoffrey bowed before them. “Excuse me for interrupting your chat,” he said, courteously; “but are you ready to go into supper, Gladys?” “Excuse me, Huntress,” young Mapleson interposed before Gladys could reply, and bestowing a haughty glance upon his rival, “but I must claim the privilege of taking Miss Huntress in by virtue of the old saw ‘_prior tempore, prior jure_’—‘first in time, first by right.’” Geoffrey colored more at his tone and look than at his words, but returned, with a genial smile: “That will apply to my case exactly, Mr. Mapleson, since I secured Miss Huntress’ promise, more than an hour ago, that she would give me the privilege you claim.” “But possession is nine points in law. Miss Huntress,” said Everet, addressing Gladys, and ignoring Geoffrey entirely. “Really, Mr. Mapleson, you will have to excuse me. I have given my promise, as Geoffrey says, and since he leaves for New Haven again to-morrow morning, I must say all I have to say to him to-night.” Everet Mapleson instantly released her, with a low bow of acquiescence. “Your wish is sufficient,” he said, with significant emphasis, and he turned abruptly away to seek some one else; but not before he had shot a revengeful glance at his successful rival. “He shall have his pay some day,” he muttered, as he moved down the room; “he maddens me beyond all endurance with his assumption of affability and his high-bred civility. He goes back to New Haven to-morrow, does he? Well, I’ll improve the remainder of this recess to cultivate to the utmost my acquaintance with _ma belle_ Gladys.” He found a young lady to whom he had been introduced early in the evening, and solicited her companionship during supper, but he was careful to station himself where he could watch every look and movement of the girl whom he was fast learning to adore. After supper Gladys and Geoffrey stole away to a quiet corner, where they could have a little confidential chat before they separated, for each had much to tell the other about school and various other matters. Geoffrey had been much disturbed inwardly to see how devotedly attentive young Mapleson appeared to Gladys. He did not bear him any ill-will on account of the hazing to which he had been subjected so long ago, but he instinctively felt that he could not be a very noble-minded man to allow himself to be so controlled by passion as he had been at that time, and Gladys was too precious a treasure to be willingly yielded to one unworthy of her.