"But, really, Nita, I think we must go. I cannot understand this strange fear of your guardian. A young girl like you must obey either her guardian or her husband. You repudiate the claim of Dorian Mountcastle, and so you remain subject to the orders of Mr. Farnham." "Let us speak no more of it now. I will decide to-morrow," Nita answered. Mrs. Courtney knew that it was almost time to dress for the ball, so she retired, determined in her own mind that she would take Nita speedily back to New York and Fifth Avenue. "Our leaving now will force Sir George to ask Azalea to name the wedding-day," she thought sagely. "And Nita is so generous I think she will readily purchase the trousseau. The marriage can take place from the miser's place, and Sir George need never know how very poor we are." CHAPTER XXV. "LET US DIE TOGETHER." "A gentleman to see Miss Farnham." Nita was in her ball-dress. There were pearls and diamonds at her throat, and in the wavy masses of her hair. "Who?" she asked carelessly. "He did not send his card; he said to tell you a friend. He is waiting in the private parlor." Nita thought carelessly that it was one of her many lovers come to lay heart and hand and fortune at her feet, and get the same answer she had given others: "I have no love to give." She had a tender heart, but it vexed her when men wooed her. "I am no coquette. I do not encourage them. Why will they not leave me alone?" she thought impatiently. And it was on her lips to decline to see the caller. The next moment she reflected that if she declined to-night he would come again to-morrow. The unpleasant moment was only deferred. "I will go, I will have it over!" she exclaimed, and took up her bouquet. "I will pretend that I am in a great hurry to start to the ball," she thought. As she entered the parlor a man stood at an open window, breathing in the sweetness of the fair spring night. As Nita softly closed the door he came forward into the light, and stood revealed, tall, fair, handsome--Dorian Mountcastle! A thrilling heart-cry escaped from Nita's lips: "Dorian!" "Nita, my love, my bride!" cried the young man, and caught her in his arms, straining her fondly to his throbbing heart. She did not resist him. How could she forego the ecstasy of that embrace, the warm, intoxicating sweetness of that kiss? For one moment she forgot the gulf between them. Her arms crept up about his neck and held him close and tenderly--her lips clung to his. Eden came back for a few moments to earth again. He pressed the beautiful form closely to his breast. Ah, the gladness, the madness, after believing her dead and lost to him forever on earth, to find her once again, so beautiful, so tender, and so loving, alive in his arms. He drew her at last to a seat, and whispered lovingly: "Speak to me, my darling. Let me be sure this is no dream!" "No dream," she murmured happily, then asked, with a smile. "How came you to find me, Dorian?"