Max stood for a moment in half-vexed surprise, but Yolanda, two yards off, laughed merrily:-- "You promised, Sir Max, that you would show no anger when you learned who I was, and you said you would neither lie, steal, nor commit murder." The Castlemans stood near by, and the duchess and I joined them, forming an admiring group.

Max did not reply.

He held out his arms to the girl, and she ran to them.

So closely did he hold her that she could hardly move.

She did, however, succeed in turning her face toward us, and said poutingly:-- "Why don't you leave the room ?" THE END.