She had screened herself from a scolding before now by trivial subterfuges, but never had told a serious lie; and every instinct rebelled against the demand that she should now state a direct falsehood.

But could Orion, the noblest of mankind, the idol of the whole town, so pressingly entreat her to do anything that was wrong?
Did not love--as he had said--make it her duty to do everything that might screen him from loss or injury?
It did not seem to her to be quite as it should be, but perhaps she did not altogether understand the matter; she was so young and inexperienced.

She hated the idea, too, that, if she opposed her lover, he would have to come to terms with Paula.

She had no lack of self-possession, and she told herself that she might hold her own with any girl in Memphis; still, she felt the superiority of the handsome, tall, proud Syrian, nor could she forget how, the day before yesterday, when Paula had been walking up and down the garden with Orion the chief officer of Memphis had exclaimed: "What a wonderfully handsome couple!" She herself had often thought that no more beautiful, elegant and lovable creature than Thomas' daughter walked the earth; she had longed and watched for a glance or a kind word from her.

But since hearing those words a bitter feeling had possessed her soul against Paula, and there had been much to foster it.