When Gerelda Northrup bid Captain Frazier good-night, and linked her arm within her mother's, and retired to their apartments, Mrs. Northrup could not help notice how carefully her daughter guarded the great crimson beauty rose she wore on her breast. The mother also noticed that the handsome captain wore a bud of the same kind in the lapel of his coat. "My dear," she said, "I think you are going a little too far with Captain Frazier. It will not do to flirt with him on the very eve of your marriage with Hubert Varrick." "There isn't the least bit of harm in it, mamma," Gerelda answered. "Captain Frazier is a delightful companion. Why shouldn't I enjoy his society?" "Because it is playing with edged tools," declared Mrs. Northrup. "The captain is desperately in love with you." "You should not blame him for lingering by my side to the very last moment." "Trouble will come of it, I fear," returned the other. "He is always at your side." "Save your lecture until to-morrow. I am sure it will keep. Do please ring the bell for my maid; it is nearly eleven o'clock, and I must not lose my beauty-sleep." Gerelda Northrup knew in her own mind that all her mother said was but too true; but the spirit of coquetry was so deeply imbedded in her nature that she would not resign her sceptre over her old lovers' hearts until the last moment. Of course the captain understood thoroughly that all her love was given to Hubert Varrick, and that it was only a very mild flirtation with himself she was indulging in. She would have trembled could she have read the thoughts of Captain Frazier at that very moment. In his elegant apartment, at the further end of the corridor, the captain was pacing the floor, wild with his own thoughts. "My God! can I live through it?" he muttered. "How can I live and endure it? How can I stand by and see the girl I love made another man's bride, without the mad desire to slay him overpowering me? If I would not have the crime of murder on my soul, I must leave this place to-night, and never look upon Gerelda's beautiful face again. One day more of this would drive me mad. Great Heaven! why did I linger by her side when I knew my danger? There are times when I could almost swear that Gerelda cares quite as much for me as she does for Hubert Varrick. If I had had a fair chance I think I could have won her from him. No, I will not see her again-- I will leave here this very night." The captain rang the bell furiously, and called for a brandy and soda. Soon after he left the hotel, saying that he would send for his luggage later. But even after he had done all that, Captain Frazier stood motionless in the grounds watching the darkened windows of Gerelda's room. The fire in his brain, produced by the potion he had taken, made sad havoc with his imagination. He thought of how the knights of old did when the girls they loved were about to wed rivals.