Even the auctioneer, braced two ways, was thrown off his balance by the sudden appearance of this new force.  Stephen grew red over the sensation he made.  Apparently the others present had deemed competition with such as Jenkins and young Colfax the grossest folly.  He was treated to much liberal staring before the oily salesman arranged his wits to grapple with the third factor.

Four hundred from—­from—­from that gentleman.  And the chubby index seemed the finger of scorn.

“Four hundred and fifty!” said Mr. Colfax, defiantly.

Whereupon Mr. Jenkins, the New Orleans dealer, lighted a very long cigar and sat down on the coping.  The auctioneer paid no attention to this manoeuvre.  But Mr. Brice and Mr. Colfax, being very young, fondly imagined that they had the field to themselves, to fight to a finish.

Here wisdom suggested in a mild whisper to Stephen that there was a last chance to pull out.  And let Colfax have the girl?  Never.  That was pride, and most reprehensible.  But second he thought of Mr. Canter and of Nancy, and that was not pride.

“Four seventy-five!” he cried.

“Thank you, suh.”

“Now fur it, young uns!” said the wag, and the crowd howled with merriment.

“Five hundred!” snapped Mr. Colfax.

He was growing angry.  But Stephen was from New England, and poor, and he thought of the size of his purse.  A glance at his adversary showed that his blood was up.  Money was plainly no consideration to him, and young Colfax did not seem to be the kind who would relish returning to a young lady and acknowledge a defeat.

Stephen raised the bid by ten dollars.  The Southerner shot up fifty.  Again Stephen raised it ten.  He was in full possession of himself now, and proof against the thinly veiled irony of the oily man’s remarks in favor of Mr. Colfax.  In an incredibly short time the latter’s impetuosity had brought them to eight hundred and ten dollars.

Then several things happened very quickly.

Mr. Jenkins got up from the curb and said, “Eight hundred and twenty-five,” with his cigar in his mouth.  Scarcely had the hum of excitement died when Stephen, glancing at Colfax for the next move, saw that young gentleman seized from the rear by his uncle, the tall Colonel.  And across the street was bliss Virginia Carvel, tapping her foot on the pavement.

“What are you about, sir?” the Colonel cried.  “The wench isn’t worth it.”

“Mr. Colfax shook himself free.

“I’ve got to buy her now, sir,” he cried.

“I reckon not,” said the Colonel.  “You come along with me.”

Naturally Mr. Colfax was very angry.  He struggled but he went.  And so, protesting, he passed Stephen, at whom he did not deign to glance.  The humiliation of it must have been great for Mr. Colfax.  “Jinny wants her; sir,” he said, “and I have a right to buy her.”

“Jinny wants everything,” was the Colonel’s reply.  And in a single look of curiosity and amusement his own gray eyes met Stephen’s.  They seemed to regret that this young man, too, had not a guardian.  Then uncle and nephew recrossed the street, and as they walked off the Colonel was seen to laugh.  Virginia had her chin in the air, and Clarence’s was in his collar.