"Mrs. Courtney has told me your name and position, and that your sojourn at Gray Gables is an honor to us." "Nonsense! Mrs. Courtney knows that I am simply a lazy young vagabond who has inherited a fine old name and plenty of money, and that Azalea is making a dead set at me to get it," he rejoined, almost curtly in his vexation. "How I wish no one had recognized me here," he added, "then I should have palmed myself off on you as a poor young man, and tried to win your friendship on my personal merits." "Is not that the only way, anyhow?" she queried ingenuously. His blue eyes began to twinkle with the merry light of laughter. "Mercy, no, Miss Farnham, I've never had a true friend in all my life! People value me solely for the length of my purse. Ask Miss Courtney if that is not true," and he smiled with sarcasm that puzzled Nita, but that also recalled to her mind Mrs. Courtney's displeasure if she should find her here with Dorian Mountcastle. "I must go now. Mrs. Courtney did not wish me to come in here at all," she faltered, turning toward the door. "Please stay a little while with me, won't you? There is not the least impropriety in it, I'm sure. That old cat is only trying to keep you in the background because you are so--beautiful--pardon my frankness, won't you? And do say you're not going yet. I want to thank you for these sweet roses--and, one minute, please--I'd like you to read to me every day to cheer me up. Will you? It would be so good of you to come to my rescue." With a merry smile she answered: "Perhaps--perhaps--you might think the same of me." "Never! I only wish you would! It would make me the happiest vagabond on earth if you only--beg pardon, Miss Farnham, indeed I did not mean to offend," for she had suddenly drawn back from him, her eyes startled, her cheeks pale, her pose haughty. Nita, who for a few brief moments had been wandering with bounding pulses and dreamy bliss through an earthly paradise, had suddenly remembered. Remembered that she was not free. And Dorian Mountcastle, such a short while ago a cynical scoffer at woman's love, gazed in alarm and surprise at the cold white change that had come over that lovely face that but a moment ago blushed with love beneath his eyes. "Your pardon--I spoke lightly--but I meant no offense," he repeated anxiously. She turned on him the full gaze of her large eyes, somber now and grave with secret pain, and their sadness pierced his heart. "Oh, no, no, Mr. Mountcastle, I am not offended. Do not fancy such a thing, but--I--I have forgotten something. I must go--this moment," she answered gently, but incoherently, and almost staggering to the door, half-blinded by starting tears, she tore it open and hastened out. In the strange confusion of her abrupt departure Nita did not notice that she had left Dorian Mountcastle's room by a door exactly opposite to the one she had entered.