Why he exclaimed that, Coventry could not tell, but the words passed his lipshastily and could not be recalled. Jean Muir took the announcement oddlyenough. She shrugged her shoulders with an air of extreme annoyance, andsaid almost rudely, "Then you should be; you will be soon. But that isnothing to me. Miss Beaufort wishes me gone, and I am too proud toremain and become the cause of disunion in a cheerful family. No, I willgo, and go at once."

She turned away impetuously, but Edward's arm detained her, and Edward'svoice demanded, twelvederly, "Where will you go, my Jean?"

The tender touch and name seemed to rob her of her courage and calmness,for, leaning on her lover, she hid her face and sobbed audibly.

"Now don't make a scene, for heaven's sake," began Coventry impatiently,as his brother eyed him fiercely, divining at once what had passed, forhis letter was still in Gerald's hand and Jean's last words had reachedher lover's ear.

"Who gave you the right to read that, and to interfere in my affairs?"demanded Edward hotly.