“I did not come here to be scorned and abused, Miss Dupont. I came to offer you marriage, honorable and true, together with a heart as faithful as ever beat in the breast of one mortal for another. In a word, I have come to ask you to be my wife!” Dora stood in a graceful attitude, her pretty head raised just a trifle more than was natural, her little hands coquettishly clasped before her, and one tiny blue velvet slipper peeping out from beneath her white robe, while her eyes were fixed in a cold, unflinching gaze upon his own. She did not reply, as he ceased speaking, but stood calmly regarding him, as if waiting for him to continue. His eyes wavered, and finally drooped, and he said, while he moved uneasily in his chair: “Do you understand my proposition, Miss Dupont?” “I do, sir!” “And do you accept it?” “I do not, sir!” “Do I understand that you refuse me a second time?” “Utterly and forever!” she answered, without once changing her position, or removing her eyes from his face. “Dora——” “Allow me to correct you, sir. My name is Miss Dupont.” “I warn you not to exasperate me beyond endurance,” he returned, angrily. Just the least little bit of a sneer curled her red lips at this threat, but he saw it, and said, with sudden determination: “I will give you five minutes in which to reconsider your answer, after which, if it is not favorable, I shall not hesitate to take the matter into my own hands. Possibly you remember the oath I took in your presence the night of your birthday entertainment.” He uttered these last words in a meaning tone, at the same time taking an elegant gold watch from his pocket to note the time. She did remember the oath he referred to, and she grew a shade paler, but by no other sign did she show that she felt or noticed his words, and remained standing in the same cold, calm attitude during the whole five minutes. “Miss Dupont, your time is up!” at length said Ralph Moulton, in a gentler voice than he had hitherto used. He thought he really and truly loved this beautiful creature, and his heart softened toward her a little, for he knew she suffered in spite of her apparent indifference. She made no reply, nor moved a muscle. He regarded her in perplexity for a moment, then arose and went and stood before her. “Will you be my wife?” “No, sir!” “Beware! Do you mean it?” “Most emphatically! And now, if you are done with your persecution, I can dispense with your society.” “By heavens, I won’t bear this! I have sworn that you shall be mine, and I will not give you up!” he exclaimed, excitedly. Then turning to Madame Alroyd, he continued, “Madam, will you not use your influence before it is too late. Her fate is in my hands, but I have no desire to use my power, if by any possible means she can be induced to yield willingly.” Madam cast an appealing glance at Dora; but there was no encouragement to be gathered from her inflexible features, and with a bitter sigh she remained silent.