The lady's head was dropped upon her hand while her elbow rested on the table. She was silent and thoughtful for a few moments, that seemed hours to Le's anxiety, and then she asked: "Do you think it right, dear boy, to approach a young girl on the subject of a second engagement so soon after the disruption of her marriage at the altar?" The question was not unkindly put, yet the blush deepened on the youth's cheek. "I said that I would not mention the subject now but that I am going away in so few days, and for years! Nor would I, even under these circumstances, if it were not that"--he suddenly caught himself up and stopped. He had been on the brink of involuntarily betraying Odalite's confidence and adding: "Odalite herself admits that she has no regret for her broken-off marriage, and never really cared for any one but her first lover;" for Le was all unaccustomed to having secrets to keep. "What were you going to add, dear boy? 'If it were not that'--what?" inquired the lady, who had observed his hesitation and embarrassment. "If it were not that I know her to be quite free," he answered, diplomatically. "But is she quite free, Leonidas?" gravely questioned the lady. "Is she not?" demanded the youth, in astonishment. "I do not know, my boy! I am not sure! But oh, Le! I have never breathed a doubt on this subject to her! And do not you breathe this to any living soul!" solemnly replied the lady. "Great Sphinx of Egypt!" said the youth to himself. "Have I got to keep the secrets of each one from all the others? And without even having the satisfaction of knowing what the secrets are?" "Listen to me, Le," said the lady, kindly. "I have no objection to your corresponding with Odalite while you are on your voyage; but there must be no engagement, or hint of an engagement between you, either before you go or in any of your letters. Moreover, your letters must not be directed immediately to Odalite, but under cover to me." "I thank you for even so much grace, Aunt Elfrida; but why may not my letters be directed to Odalite?" "Because they might get her unjustly and disrespectfully talked about," said she, evasively. "But, oh, Aunt Elfrida! why should you doubt that Odalite is free? Why, the fact is abundantly proven." "No, dear boy, there is where the trouble is. We think it was proven, but we are not sure. What we are sure of is this--that there was a marriage ceremony performed by special license, and by a regularly ordained minister of the gospel, and in the presence of more than a hundred witnesses, between Angus Anglesea and Odalite Force, and which, if both parties were free to contract marriage at the time, binds them together as man and wife for the term of their natural lives. That is all that we positively know, Le," gravely replied the lady. The youth sprang up from his chair with a cry of pain.