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"No," answered his mother with a placid expression in her face.

"He has not yet revealed his real name. I think it is quite

romantic of him. He is probably a member of the aristocracy."

James Vane bit his lip. "Watch over Sibyl, Mother," he cried,

"watch over her."

"My son, you distress me very much. Sibyl is always under my

special care. Of course, if this gentleman is wealthy, there is

no reason why she should not contract an alliance with him. I

trust he is one of the aristocracy. He has all the appearance of

it, I must say. It might be a most brilliant marriage for Sibyl.

They would make a charming couple. His good looks are really

quite remarkable; everybody notices them."

The lad muttered something to himself and drummed on the

window-pane with his coarse fingers. He had just turned round to

say something when the door opened and Sibyl ran in.

"How serious you both are!" she cried. "What is the matter?"