"The Lord knoweth! I do not now. But I trust to be able to save her without--revealing you." "Do you imagine that vague warnings would have any effect upon her?" "Coming from me they would." "Heavens! What a self-worshiper! But selfishness is your normal state, Marian! Self-love is your only affection--self-adulation your only enthusiasm--self-worship your only religion! You do not desire to be loved--you wish only to be honored! The love I offered you, you trampled underfoot! You have no heart, you have only a brain! You cannot love, you only think! Nor have you any need of love, but only of power! Applause is your vital breath, your native air! To hear your name and praise on every tongue--that is your highest ambition! Such a woman should be a gorgon of ugliness that men might not waste their hearts' wealth upon her!" exclaimed Thurston, bitterly, gazing with murky eyes, that smoldered with suppressed passion, upon the beautiful girl before him. Marian was standing with her eyes fixed abstractedly upon a distant sail. Now the tears swelled under the large white eyelids and hung glittering on the level lashes, and her lip quivered and her voice faltered slightly as she answered: "You see me through a false medium, dear Thurston, but the time will come when you will know me as I am." "I fancy the time has come. It has also come for me to enlighten you a little. And in the first place, fair queen of minds, if not of hearts, let me assure you that there is a limit even to your almost universal influence. And that limit may be found in Miss Le Roy. You, who know the power of thought only, cannot weigh nor measure the power of love. Upon Miss Le Roy your warnings would have no effect whatever. I tell you that in the face of them (were I so disposed), I might lead that girl to the altar to-morrow." Marian was silent, not deeming an answer called for. "And now, I ask you, how you could prevent it?" "I shall not be required to prevent such an act, Thurston, as such a one never can take place. You speak so only to try your Marian's faith or temper--both are proof against jests, I think. Hitherto you have trifled with the young lady's affections for mere _ennui_ and thoughtlessness, I do believe! but, now that some of the evil consequences have been suggested to your mind, you will abandon such perilous pastime. You are going to France soon--that will be a favorable opportunity of breaking off the acquaintance." "And breaking her heart--who knows? But suppose now that I should prefer to marry her and take her with me?" "Nay, of course, I cannot for an instant suppose such a thing." "But in spite of all your warnings, were such an event about to take place?" "In such an exigency I should divulge our marriage." "You would?" "Assuredly! How can you possibly doubt it? Such an event would abrogate my obligations to silence, and would impose upon me the opposite duty of speaking." "I judged you would reason so," he said, bitterly.