Arnault yonder suggests that she may still pick and choose."
"Bah! I'm not afraid of him. She could have taken him long since had
she so wished."
Others who had seats at the table now approached, and prevented
further interchange of words on so delicate a subject. Nevertheless
Mr. Muir's arrow had not flown wide of the mark, and Graydon thought
that Miss Wildmere was unnecessarily cordial toward his rival, and
that Mr. Wildmere, who had also come from the city, was decidedly
complacent over the fact.
Graydon's furtive observation was now cut short by the entrance of
Madge, and even he was dazzled by a beauty that attracted many eyes.
It was not merely a lovely woman who was advancing toward him, but a
woman whose nature was profoundly excited. What though she moved in
quiet, well-bred grace, and greeted Mr. Muir with natural cordiality?
The aroused spiritual element was not wanting in the expression of her
face or in the dignity of her carriage. Her deep, suppressed feeling,
which bordered on despair; her womanly pride, which would disguise
all suffering at every cost, gave to her presence a subtle power, felt
none the less because intangible. It was evident that she neither
saw nor cared for the strangers who were looking their curiosity and
admiration; and Graydon understood her barely well enough to think,
"Something, whatever it may be, makes her unlike other girls.
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