“My ward, Miss Orme, has a juvenile reverence for Congressmen, whom knowing only historically, she fondly considers above and beyond the common clay of mankind, regards them as the worthy successors of the Roman Patres Conscripti, and in the Honourable Mr. Chesley she is doubtless destined to realize all her romantic ideas relative to American statesmen.  Regina, Mr. Chesley represents California in the council of the nation, and can tell you all about those wonderful canons of which you were speaking last week.”

The guest took her fingers, shook them cordially, and looking into his fine face, the girl felt a sudden thrill run through her frame.  What was there in the soft brown eyes, and shape of the brow that was so familiar, that made her heart beat so fiercely?

Mechanically she sat down near him, failing to answer some trivial question from Mrs. Palma, and bowing in an absent preoccupied manner to the remainder of the guests.

Fortunately dinner was announced immediately, and as Mrs. Palma moved away on Mr. Chesley’s arm, while Mr. Palma gave his to Mrs. Carew, Regina felt a cold hand seize hers, and lead her forward.

“Mr. Roscoe, where did you secrete yourself?  I was not aware that you were in the room.”

“Standing near the window, watching you bow to every one else.  Your guardian requested me to hand you in to dinner.”

Something in his voice and manner annoyed her, and looking up, she said coldly;

“My guardian is very kind; but I regret that his consideration in providing me an escort has taxed your courtesy so severely.”

Before he could reply they had reached the table, and, glancing at the card attached to the bouquet at each plate, Regina found her chair had been placed next to Mr. Chesley’s, while Olga was her vis-a-vis.

“If I ask you it question, will you answer it truly?” said Elliott.

“That depends entirely upon what it may prove.  If a proper one, I shall answer it truly; otherwise, not at all.”

“Was it of your own free will, without advice or bias, that you refused the interview I asked you to grant me?”

“It was.”

“My cousin influenced you adversely?”

“No, sir.”

“He is purely selfish in his course toward——­”

“At least it is ungrateful and unbecoming in you to accuse him, and I will not hear you.”

She turned her face toward Mr. Chesley, who was carrying on an animated conversation with Mrs. Palma, and some moments elapsed before Elliott resumed: 

“Regina, I must see you alone, sometime this evening.”

“Why?”

“To demand an explanation of what I have seen and heard,—­otherwise I would not credit.”

“I have no explanations to offer on any subject.  If you refer to a conversation which Mr. Palma had with me yesterday at your request, let me say once for all, that I cannot consent to its revival.  Mr. Roscoe, we are good friends now, I hope; but we should be such no longer, if you persist in violating my wishes in this matter.”