Nevertheless, he would play his principal card if he must.

It was his nature to win in every game of life, and it had become a passion with him to secure the beautiful girl that he had sought so long and vainly.

If it could appear to the world that he had fairly won her, he would not scruple at anything in the accomplishment of his purpose, and would feel that he had scored the most brilliant success in his life.

If he could do this without ruining them, he would be glad, and his good-will was enhanced by Graydon's course this morning.

The former had sauntered into the billiard-room, but, seeing Graydon with Miss Wildmere, had been about to depart, when Muir had said, cordially, "Come, Arnault, take a cue with us," and had quite disarmed him by frank courtesy.
At last the sound of music and laughter lured them to the main hall, and there they found Madge surrounded by children and young people, little Nellie Wilder clinging to her side the most closely, with Mr.
and Mrs.Wilder looking at the young girl with a world of grateful good-will in their eyes.
"Oh, Miss Alden, sing us another song," clamored a dozen voices.
"Yes," cried Jennie Muir; "the funny one you sang for us in the woods." Madge smilingly complied, and the children fairly danced in their delight at the comical strains, abrupt pauses, droll sentiment, and interlarded words of explanation.