“Here is something which will perhaps interest you,” she said, passing the paper to Juno who had come down late, and was looking cross and jaded from the effects of last night’s dissipation.

Taking the paper from her sister’s hand, Juno glanced carelessly at the paragraph indicated by Bell; then, as she caught Mark’s name, she glanced again with a startled, incredulous look, her cheeks and lips turning white as she read that Mark Ray was lost to her forever, and that in spite of the stolen letter Helen Lennox was his wife.

“What is it, Juno?” Mrs. Cameron asked, noticing her daughter’s agitation.

Juno told her what it was, handing her the paper and letting her read it for herself.

“Impossible! there is some mistake!  How was it brought about?” she continued, darting a curious glance at Bell, whose face betrayed nothing as she leisurely sipped her coffee, and remarked:  “I always thought it would come to this, for I knew he liked her.  It is a splendid match.”

Whatever Juno thought she kept it to herself, just as she kept her room the entire day, suffering from a racking headache, and ordering the curtains to be dropped, as the light hurt her eyes, she said to Bell, who, really pitying her now, never suggested that the darkened room was more to hide her tears than to save her eyes, and who sent away all callers with the message that Juno was sick—­all but Sybil Grandon, who insisted so hard upon seeing her dear friend that she was admitted to Juno’s room, talking at once of the wedding, and making every one of Juno’s nerves quiver with pain as she descanted upon the splendid match it was for Helen, or indeed for any girl.

“I had given you to him,” she said, “but I see I was mistaken.  It was Helen he preferred, unless you jilted him, as perhaps you did.”

Here was a temptation Juno could not resist, and she replied, haughtily: 

“I am not one to boast of conquests, but ask Captain Ray himself if you wish to know why I did not marry him.”

Sybil Grandon was not deceived, but she good-naturedly suffered that young lady to hope she was, and answered, laughingly:  “I can’t say I honor your judgment in refusing him, but you know best.  However, I trust that will not prevent your friendly advances toward his bride.  Mrs. Banker has gone after her, I understand, and I want you to call with me as soon as convenient.  Mrs. Mark Ray will be the belle of the season, depend upon it,” and gathering up her furs Mrs. Grandon kissed Juno affectionately and then swept from the room.