Before he could reply they had reached the table, and, glancing at the card attached to the bouquet at each plate, Regina found her chair had been placed next to Mr. Chesley's, while Olga was her _vis-a-vis_. "If I ask you it question, will you answer it truly?" said Elliott. "That depends entirely upon what it may prove. If a proper one, I shall answer it truly; otherwise, not at all." "Was it of your own free will, without advice or bias, that you refused the interview I asked you to grant me?" "It was." "My cousin influenced you adversely?" "No, sir." "He is purely selfish in his course toward----" "At least it is ungrateful and unbecoming in you to accuse him, and I will not hear you." She turned her face toward Mr. Chesley, who was carrying on an animated conversation with Mrs. Palma, and some moments elapsed before Elliott resumed: "Regina, I must see you alone, sometime this evening." "Why?" "To demand an explanation of what I have seen and heard,--otherwise I would not credit." "I have no explanations to offer on any subject. If you refer to a conversation which Mr. Palma had with me yesterday at your request, let me say once for all, that I cannot consent to its revival. Mr. Roscoe, we are good friends now, I hope; but we should be such no longer, if you persist in violating my wishes in this matter." "What I wish to say to you involves your own safety and happiness." "I am grateful for your kind intentions, but they result from some erroneous impression. My individual welfare is bound up with those whom you know not, and at all events I prefer not to discuss it." "You refuse me the privilege of a confidential talk with you?" "Yes, Mr. Roscoe. Now be pleasant, and let us converse on some more agreeable topic. Did you ever meet Mrs. Carew until to-day?" He was too angry to reply immediately; but after a little while mastered his indignation. "I have the pleasure of knowing Mrs. Carew quite well." "She is remarkably beautiful." "Oh, unquestionably! And she knows it better than any other article in her creed. New York is spoiling her dreadfully." He turned and addressed some remarks to Miss St. Clare, who sat on his right, and Regina rejoiced in the opportunity afforded her of becoming a quiet observer and listener. She had never seen her guardian so animated, so handsome as now, while he smiled genially and talked with his lovely guest, and watching them, Regina recollected the remark concerning their appearance which had been made by the gentleman in the car.