“After escorting me there, you deserted me for that hateful little minx!” “I was not absent as long as an hour, Lelia, and as the young lady asked for my escort, I could not refuse without discourtesy to our guest. I am sure the little girl is very sweet and innocent, and never dreamed she was doing anything offensive to you,” he answered gently. “Oh, yes; ‘sweet and innocent,’ of course! Why don’t you add beautiful, also? I have seen all along she was winning your heart from me.” With a sarcastic smile, the tortured lover retorted: “You must credit me with a very elastic heart, indeed! Scarcely two weeks ago you were vowing I was in love with Gipsy Darke.” “As, indeed, you were, until Zaidee Preston came and rivaled her in your fickle heart. And last night you stood by Irene Mays half an hour while she was at the piano.” “Only turning her music, Lelia.” “That will do for an excuse, of course, but I saw how she maneuvered to keep you there--and afterward you read poetry by the hour to Bessie Hall! Oh, I can never comprehend, never, why Aunt Cyrilla invited that trio of wretched flirts to The Crags, unless it was to torment me to death!” with an angry sob. “She invited them because she thought these gay young girls would make your visit pleasant, dearest. She thought you had outgrown childish things, and put away jealousy and spite with them,” he answered, with latent sternness. Lelia sprang up, towering over him in his seat like a beautiful Fury, her cheeks flushed, her blue eyes blazing with resentment. “Jealousy and spite!--This to me!--To Lelia Ritchie! How dare you, sir? Now, indeed, I realize you never loved me!” she hissed, in wrath and scorn. “I half-believe you are right, Lelia!” he answered, with sudden furious passion, goaded beyond endurance by her injustice. “So you own the truth at last! But I knew it, I knew it before! Your heart is too fickle to keep faith with any one!” she raved. “Have I not loved you always, Lelia?” he asked reproachfully. “No, you owned it yourself just now that you had never loved me.” “I spoke in anger, dear. You pushed me too hard, and I could not bear your injustice. Will you not believe that my heart is always true to you, and let us put an end to these unpleasant scenes forever?” he asked, with repressed feelings. “I see your drift. You are weary of me, you long for freedom. Very well, here is your ring! Good-by!” sobbed Lelia tragically. The large diamond lay sparkling in his hand like a big tear. He sighed from the bottom of his heart as he said: “This is the third time you have broken our engagement, Lelia, and then called me back again. Let me save you a night of grief and repentance by putting it back on your finger now. Broken engagements are said to be very unlucky.” “No, I have broken with you forever now. I do not love you any longer. You have tortured me with your cruel flirtations until you have driven me nearly mad,” she replied, with a tragic air.