Several days elapsed, during which Mr. Palma’s abstraction increased, and by degrees Regina learned from his stepmother that a long pending suit involving several millions of dollars was drawing to a close.

As counsel for the plaintiff, he was summing up and preparing his final speech.  An entire day was consumed in its delivery, and on the following afternoon as Regina sat at the library table writing her German exercise, she heard, his footsteps ascending with unwonted rapidity the hall stairs.  Outside the door he paused, and accosted Mrs. Palma who hastened to meet him.

“Madam, I have won.”

“Indeed, Erle, I congratulate you.  I believe it involves a very large fee?”

“Yes, twenty thousand dollars; but the victory yields other fruit quite as valuable to me.  Judges McLemore and Mayfield were on the defence, and it cost me a very hard fight:  literally—­’ Palma non sine pulvere.’  The jury deliberated only twenty minutes, and of course I am much gratified.”

“I am heartily glad, but it really is no more than I expected; for when did you ever fail in anything of importance?”

“Most signally in one grave matter, which deeply concerns me.  Despite my efforts, Olga’s animosity grows daily more intense, and it annoys, wounds me; for you are aware that I have a very earnest interest in her welfare.  I question very much the propriety of your course in urging this match upon her, and you know that from the beginning I have discouraged the whole scheme.  She is vastly Congreve’s superior, and I confess I do not relish the idea of seeing her sacrifice herself so completely.  I attempted to tell her so, about a fortnight since, but she stormily forbade my mentioning Congreve’s name in her presence, and looked so like an enraged leopardess that I desisted.”

“It will prove for the best, I hope; and nothing less binding, less decisive than this marriage will cure her of her obstinate folly.  Time will heal all, and some day, Erle, she will understand you, and appreciate what you have done.”

“My dear madam, I merely mean that I desire she should regard me as a brother, anxious to promote her true interests; whereas she considers me her worst enemy.  Just now we will adjourn the subject, as I must trouble you to pack my valise.  I am obliged to start immediately to Washington, and cannot wait for dinner.  Will you direct Octave to prepare a cup of coffee?”

“How long will you be absent?”

“I cannot say positively, as my business is of a character which may be transacted in three hours, or may detain me as many days.  I must leave here in half an hour.”

The door was open, and hearing what passed, Regina bent lower over her exercise book when her guardian came forward.

Although toil-worn and paler than usual, his eyes were of a proud glad light, that indexed gratification at his success.

Leaning against the table, he said carelessly: