He would bring this young man, neutralized and rendered entirely harmless by his irrevocable pledge to a slight girl, face to face with a masterpiece of young womanhood, and say to him, not in words, but as plainly as speech could have told him, "Behold my captive!" It was a proud moment for Murray Bradshaw.

He had seen, or thought that he had seen, the assured evidence of a speedy triumph over all the obstacles of Myrtle's youth and his own present seeming slight excess of maturity.

Unless he were very greatly mistaken, he could now walk the course; the plate was his, no matter what might be the entries.

And this youth, this handsome, spirited-looking, noble-aired young fellow, whose artist-eye could not miss a line of Myrtle's proud and almost defiant beauty, was to be the witness of his power, and to look in admiration upon his prize! He introduced him to the others, reserving her for the last.

She was at that moment talking with the worthy Rector, and turned when Mr.Bradshaw spoke to her.
"Miss Hazard, will you allow me to present to you my friend, Mr.Clement Lindsay ?" They looked full upon each other, and spoke the common words of salutation.