do this in the hope of influencing me, but he gives his aid without conditions.  Yet I know him well enough to be sure that he would withdraw this business help should I now harshly dismiss him or engage myself to another.  While I do show him that I appreciate his kindness, I do nothing to indicate that my feeling is changed.  He must know that I regard him in the same light as in the past.  If he is content with this, I have asked myself why I should be precipitate—­why alienate him now in the very crisis of papa’s affairs.  Of course if I had only myself to think of—­I’ve been foolish enough to think that I might help papa and still be happy in the end.  Am I so very naughty, Graydon?”

He was at a loss how to answer her, but felt that he must at once disabuse her mind of one expectation.

“I admit, Stella,” he said, thoughtfully, “that you are peculiarly placed, and I thank you for making clearer what I had partially surmised.  While I admire and respect the motive, I must still repeat that I regret beyond all words such action in one who is so much to me.  It is right also that I should define my own position more clearly.  I will imitate your generous frankness.  You know how greatly I admired you before I first went abroad; and while I felt that there was little chance for me, you being sought by so many, I did not give up hope.  This hope was strengthened by my visit last summer, and when I returned and found you free a few weeks since I determined to win you if I could.  You know I would have spoken before had you permitted.  I have for some little time felt myself irrevocably bound by what has passed between us.  I also believed that you would eventually give me a full explanation in regard to Mr. Arnault, and that his attentions would cease.  As to my not being able to take care of you, that is absurd.  I am not wealthy yet, but few young men in the city have better prospects.  My brother’s business is large and profitable, and I am soon to share in it.  I could not, from the nature of things, enter into business relations with your father—­I should not be at the head of the firm—­but neither you nor yours should ever want.  As to my brother, he is in no financial danger whatever.  He has a large fortune, and is conservatism itself.  If you are placed in an embarrassing position, I am also.  Arnault’s manner is not that of a friend.  Others misjudge you and me also.  It looks to the people here, and to my own family, as if you were playing with us both.

“Moreover,” he continued, after a moment’s thought, “you are drifting into a false relation with Arnault, although you may not be conscious of it.  Before these troubles began you simply tolerated his attentions good-naturedly, and without any special motive.  Now you have a definite motive and purpose, and—­pardon me, Stella—­they are misleading him.  He would not continue his attentions an hour, did he believe they were utterly hopeless.  To Arnault and all others you appear undecided between him and myself.  Such an experiment as you are trying cannot work well.  If he has any other power beyond that of your maidenly preference, he will not hesitate to increase it, and may make your father more utterly dependent upon him while appearing helpful.”