She felt herself playing with all her might to win; but not, as with his father, for flowers, trifling presents or mere glory; nay, for a very different stake Life or Death! She would do everything, anything to conquer him; and yet, no--come what might--not everything.

Sooner would she succumb than betray him as the thief or reveal what she had discovered in the viridarium.

She had promised to keep the secret; and she would repay the father's kindness by screening the son from this disgrace.

How beautiful, how noble had Orion's image been in her heart.

She would not stain it with this disgrace in her own eyes and in those of the world.