ignored you. But have you heard anything from Mr. Corbin since I saw you
last?"

"No, and I fear that I shall not," Mona replied, with a sigh. "I do not
see any possible way by which he can prove my identity. As you know, I
have not a single item of reliable evidence in my possession, although
I firmly believe that such evidence exists, and is at this moment in Mrs.
Montague's keeping."

She then related how her suspicions had been freshly aroused by the
conversation of that morning, and Ray was considerably excited over the
matter.

"Why did you not tell me before that Louis Hamblin made himself obnoxious
to you at Hazeldean?" he questioned, flushing with indignation, for Mona
had also told him of her interview with the young man in the library, in
connection with the story of Mrs. Montague's more recent proposal to her.

"Because I believed that I had myself thoroughly extinguished him," Mona
answered, smiling; "and besides," she continued, with a modest blush, "I
believe that no true, considerate woman will ever mention her rejection
of a suitor to a third party, if she can avoid doing so."

Ray gave her an admiring glance.

"I wish there were more women in the world of the same mind," he said.
"But mind, dear, I will not have you annoyed about the matter further.
If, after what you have told Mrs. Montague to-day, young Hamblin should
presume to renew the subject again, you are to tell me and I will deal
with him as he deserves. It certainly is rather suspicious her wanting