• I hate you, Dr. Thomas, bufc I do not believe that you would harm bhab poor child.'

' You havo shown me more than once that you hate me,' he answered gravely, ' but you aro right in your belief; I would not hurm Mildred.'

'She does not stand in fche way of your ambition, and I havo taken good care "that ehe shall nob fall in love with you. 1 sur rendered her to your parents' care, for I felt that sho was safer away from me and my surroundings, but I never forgave you or them for the necessity. In addition I hated you for your smallness and your villany ; you are on the lovol wifch the dovil Isabel, but you havo, in your indiffer ent way, beon kind to the girl, and for thab reason I forgive you.'

'I am vory grateful,' he answered, gravely ironic.
