This remained the chief consideration amid the chaos of her conflicting feelings and interests, for she had lived this life so long that she could imagine no other as endurable.  She had, moreover, the persistence of a small nature, and longed to humiliate the Muir pride, and to spite Madge Alden, who she half believed cherished more than a sisterly regard for Graydon.  As for her father, she did little more than resent his words and the humiliating disquietude they had caused.  They had sorely wounded her vanity, and presented a painful alternative.

As the day passed, and old habits of mind resumed sway, she began to concentrate her thoughts on three questions:  Should she accept Graydon and take her chances with him?  Should she accept Mr. Arnault, with his wealth, and be safe? or should she hesitate a little longer, in the hope that she could secure Graydon and wealth also?  The persistence of a will that had always had its own way decided finally in favor of the last course of action.  She would not give Graydon up unless she must, and not until she must.  Accustomed to consult self-interest, she believed that her father was doing the same, that he was favoring Arnault because the latter would be more useful to him, and that for this reason he was exaggerating the Muirs’ peril, if not inventing it.  She dismissed his words about leaving Wall Street with scarcely a thought; he always talked in this way when the times were bad or his ventures unlucky.  They had been on the eve of ruin so many times, that the cry of “wolf” was not so alarming as formerly.

“I suppose I must decide before this week is over,” she thought.  “Arnault has practically given me this length of time, and I shall take him at his word.”  Therefore, she was very sweet to him during the morning hours, and prepared him to submit to her drive with Graydon in the afternoon.

Arnault felt that he had given his ultimatum, and was resolved to abide by it.  At the same time he knew that it would be a terrible wrench to give up the girl.  The very difficulty of winning her had stimulated to the utmost his passion for attainment.  She was the best that existed in his superficial world, and fulfilled his ideal.  Her delicate yet somewhat voluptuous beauty completely intoxicated him.

He too thought, and made his decision during the day.  If he won her at all it must be speedily, and it should be done by promises of devotion and wealth if possible, and by breaking the Muirs down if this should become necessary.  The time had come for decisive action.  It was evident that her father was in sore straits; the man’s appearance confirmed this belief.  Arnault was almost certain that Henry Muir was in his power.  He would not play the latter card unless he must, but he would watch so vigilantly as to be promptly aware of the necessity.  He decided to spend several days of the present week in the mountains and so keep himself informed how the game went here, and while in the city he would not only be observant, but would also drop a few words to weaken Mr. Muir’s credit.  One thing, however, was settled—­the problematical issue of his matrimonial scheme must soon be made known, and he rather relished its congenial elements of speculative uncertainty, being conscious that so much depended upon his skill and power to pull unseen wires.