Mrs. Montague grew crimson with anger.

"Then you would not marry my nephew if he should offer himself to you?"
she indignantly inquired.

"No, madame; I could not. With all due appreciation of the honor intended
me, I should be obliged to decline it."

The girl spoke with the utmost respect and courtesy, yet there was a
slight inflection upon certain words which irritated Mrs. Montague almost
beyond endurance.

"Perhaps you are already in love with some one else--perhaps you imagine
that you may win young Palmer, upon whom you so indelicately forced your
society at Hazeldean," she snapped.

Mona could not quite conceal all emotion at this unexpected attack, and a
lovely color stole into her cheeks, at which the watchful woman opposite
her was quick to draw her own conclusions, even though the fair girl made
no reply to her rude speech.

"Let me disabuse your mind at once of any such hopes and aspirations,"
Mrs. Montague continued, with increased asperity, "for they will never be
realized, since Ray Palmer is already engaged."

This statement was made upon the strength of what she had learned from
Mr. Palmer regarding Ray's affection for Mr. Dinsmore's niece, and his
own approval of the union if the young lady could be found.

Poor Mona's powers of endurance were tried to the utmost by this thrust,