Fledra closed her book and went to the drawing-room, where she found Everett standing near the grate. His brilliant smile made her drop her eyes embarrassedly. She overlooked his extended hand, and made no move to come forward. The girl had always felt afraid of him. Now his presence in the room increased her vague fears. Why she had felt this sudden premonition of evil, she did not know, nor did she try to analyze her feelings. Young as she was, Fledra recognized in him an enemy, and yet his attitude betrayed a personal interest. She had seen him many times during the last few weeks; but had managed to escape him through the connivance of Miss Shellington. Ann had tactfully explained to the girl that Mr. Brimbecomb did not feel the same toward her and Flukey as did her brother; but had added, "It's because he does not know you both, Dear, as Horace and I do." Once alone with him, she knew only that she wanted to give him Ann's message and return quickly to Floyd. Before she could speak, Brimbecomb passed behind her and closed the door. "Sister Ann won't be home for an hour," said Flea, turning sharply. Everett smiled again. "Sit down, then," he said. "I can't; I have to study." Something in the girl's tones brought a low laugh from Everett. He came closer to her. "You're a deliciously pretty child," he bantered. "Won't you take hold of my hands?" Placing her arms behind her, Flea answered: "No, I don't like ye!" She backed far from him, her eyes burning with anger. "You're a very frank little maid, as well as pretty," drawled Everett. "Ever since I first saw you as a girl, I've wanted to know something about you. Who's your father?" "None of yer business!" snapped Flea. "Frank again," laughed the lawyer ruefully. "Now, honestly, wouldn't you like to be friends with me?" "No! I said I didn't like ye, and I don't! I want to go now. You can sit here alone until Sister Ann comes." She looked so tantalizingly lovely, so lithely young, as she flung the disagreeable words at him, that Brimbecomb impulsively made a step toward her. He was unused to such treatment and manners. That this girl, sprung from some unknown corner, dared to flaunt her dislike in his face, made him only the more determined to conquer her. "If I wait until Sister Ann comes," he said coolly, "I shall not wait alone. I insist that you stay here with me!" "I have to go back to my brother. So let me go by--please!" Fledra made an effort to pass Brimbecomb; but he grasped her deliberately in his arms. Drawing her forcibly to him, he exclaimed: "I've caught my pretty bird! Now I'm going to kiss you!" Flea's mind flashed back to the day when Lem Crabbe had tried to kiss her, and the thought came to her mind that she could have borne that even better than this. She squirmed about until her face was far below his arm, and muttered: "If you try to kiss me, I'll dig a hole in yer mug!"