"Then, as I said before, I'll take my chances with the rest. I'll not hold her to that girlhood bargain. That would be unfair. But, if you'll permit me, I'll go in and win her as she is to-day--if I can." She smiled at his ardor. "I hope you may win, David. But you must win for yourself. Do not look to me for help. She must decide for herself." He did not refer to the young man who had taken her away in the cab. Mrs. Braddock noted this and was not slow to divine the well-bred restraint that lay behind the omission. "That was young Stanfield," she observed. "He is delightful. My father is devoted to him." David smiled. "I hope to have the pleasure of meeting him soon." "You may meet to-night." If she expected to see a trace of annoyance in his face, she was disappointed. He gracefully confessed his interest in the prospective meeting. "I shall be more than delighted to come," he said. "And I am glad he will be there to engage Christine's attention while I devote myself to you, Mrs. Braddock." "You nice boy!" She extended her hand. "I must not keep my father waiting out there. You don't know how glad I am that you are here, David." Suddenly a wave of red mounted to her cheek; an expression of utter loathing came into her deep eyes. In some alarm he glanced over his shoulder. Colonel Grand was standing at the door through which she would have to pass. He was not looking at her, but his motive in placing himself there was only too plain. "Confound him!" involuntarily fell from David's lips. "If he dares to address me--" she began, her face going white. "David, I have not seen that man since the day I left the show. Why is he here to-day? Is it to annoy--to torment me in--" "He won't do that," announced David firmly. "I have a strange foreboding, David,--of evil, of something dreadful. Perhaps it is due to the unexpected sight of--his horrid face. I--" "That's it," said he promptly. Nevertheless, a slight chill entered his heart. There was Tom Braddock to be considered. "I'll come early to-night, if I may," he said, more soberly than he meant. "There are some very important things to discuss. Now I'll take you to your carriage." During their talk she had absently folded the telegram. He observed it in her hand and said: "The telegram--don't forget that, Mrs. Braddock." Her smile was enigmatic. With a diverted smile for the waiting clerk she said: "I shall not send it, after all." David walked with her to the door. They passed so close to Colonel Grand that David's elbow touched his arm, but neither of them looked at him. She hastily entered the waiting carriage, a sort of panic overtaking her. Thrusting the crumpled bit of paper into David's hand, her eyes steadfastly held against the impulse to look at the satiric figure in the doorway, she said in a half-whisper: "Take it, David--and come to-night."