“What interest can such a trifle possess for you, sir?”

“Sufficient at least to require an answer.”

She sat silent.

“Regina.”

“I hear you, Mr. Palma.”

“Then show me the courtesy of looking at me when you speak.  Circumstances have debarred me until now from referring to a letter from India, which I gave you before I went to Washington.  I presume you are aware that the writer in enclosing it to me acquainted me with its tenor and import.  Will you permit me to read it?”

“I sent it to my mother nearly a week ago.”

She had raised her eyes, and looked at him almost defiantly, nerving herself for the storm that already darkened his countenance.

“Mr. Lindsay very properly informed me that his letter contained an offer of marriage, and though I requested you to defer your answer until my return, I could not of course doubt that it would prove a positive rejection, since you so earnestly assured me he could never be more than a brother to you.  At least, let me suggest that you clothe the refusal in the kindest possible terms.”

Her face whitened, and she compressed her lips, but her beautiful eyes became touchingly mournful in their strained gaze.  Mr Palma took off his glasses, and for the first time in her life she saw the full, fine bright black eyes, without the medium of lenses.  How they looked down into hers?

She caught her breath, and he smiled: 

“My ward must be frank with her guardian.”

“I have been frank with my mother, and since nothing has been concealed from her, no one else has the right to catechise me.  To her it is incumbent upon me to confide even the sacred details to which you allude, and she knows all; but you can have no real interest in the matter.”

“Pardon me, I have a very deep interest in all that concerns my ward; especially when the disposal of her hand is involved.  What answer have you given ’Brother Douglass’?”

As he spoke, he laid his hand firmly on both of hers, but she attempted to rise.

“Oh, Mr. Palma!  Ask me no more, spare me this inquisition.  You transcend your authority.”

“Sit still.  Answer me frankly.  You declined Mr. Lindsay’s offer?”

“No, sir!”

She felt his hand suddenly clutch hers, and grow cold.

“Lily!  Lily!”

The very tone was like a prayer.  Presently, he said sternly: 

“You must not dare to trifle with me.  You cannot intend to accept him?”

“Mother will determine for me.”

Mr. Palma had become very pale, and his glittering teeth gnawed his lower lip.

“Is your acceptance of that man contingent only on her consent and approval?”

For a moment she looked away at the blue heavens bending above her, and wondered if the sky would blacken when she had irretrievably committed herself to this union.  The thought was hourly growing horrible, and she shivered.