Once again he stole a look at Dunham's profile, and there was a queer stirring at his heart. With sudden determination he rose, and, moving over to the other desk, stood behind John's chair and rested both his bony hands on the broad shoulders. "I've had a blow, my boy," he said, and his voice was husky. Dunham swung around and half rose. "Sylvia! Has something happened?" he ejaculated. "No, no, John. I could almost say I wish it were a worse blow for me than for you." The young man settled down again, his back to the judge, whose nervous clutch seemed to desire to hold him in this position. "It's strange it should come just now, when we had but just been talking on the subject. Edna--I'm afraid Edna's lost to you, Boy." Dunham remained with his elbow on his desk, where he had rested it after Judge Trent's startling introduction. The latter waited a moment, regarding the back of the other's head. "Sylvia says Edna's engagement is to be announced at a dinner to-night." "Edna engaged?" "Yes, and to a Britisher." Judge Trent's subdued tone suddenly became violent. "How long has she had him on her string? She hasn't treated you right, John; or else it's your own fault, and you've shilly-shallied too long with your confounded notions of honor. Which is it?" Dunham remained silent and motionless; and his shock and grief acted as a quietus on the older man's belligerency. "Forgive me, Boy. This isn't any time to haul you over the coals. It seems it isn't any itch for a title in Edna's case. The fellow hasn't any handle to his name, and he has money--or pretends to have. Sylvia says she's very happy." "She deserves to be," said Dunham. "She doesn't. She's a simpleton; and worse, for she's been leading you on." "No, she hasn't, Judge Trent." "Oh, of course you'll always swear to that. Let it happen thirty years hence to your son, and you'll call things by their right names." Dunham heard the affection for himself in the strained voice, and he turned slowly around and smiled up into his partisan's lean, excited face, with eyes that again gave the judge an unaccustomed sensation. "You've been a dunce, Boy. Why didn't you get busy at the island last summer, after all your talk about adoration? You could have got her. I don't believe you've half tried." John still smiled as he replied quietly, "No. I haven't half tried." The judge scowled his amazement. "Why not, then?" he demanded, when he could speak. Dunham hesitated a moment before he answered, "Because I saw that neither of us wished it." Judge Trent glared at him during a short silence. "What are you mooning about, then?" he burst forth at last. "What are you tearing up deeds for? Why aren't you worth your salt?" Dunham colored under the vigorous arraignment. "Oh, you're a mind-reader all right, Judge Trent. You didn't guess wrong." "You're in love?" snarled the lawyer angrily. John nodded. "Who is it?" explosively. "Don't you think I'd better wait and see if I can get her?"