"You must go, Hugh; you have been here too long, and I am not well
to-day. I want to be alone."
"Yes, you are right," replied he woefully. "I ought not to have caused
you this pain. I am to blame."
Yet something of hope returned to him as he spoke, for she clasped her
arms around his neck, and, clinging to him closely, fixed upon him a
look of moving appeal.
Slowly she drew down his head towards her face, and then gave him a
warm, passionate kiss.
"Good-bye, Hugh," she said in a broken pleading voice. "Remember you
have one who loves you more dearly than life."
"I've been a fool. Forgive me for speaking as I did," he entreated.
"Yes," she replied, with a sigh; "if we love one another, why should
there be any mistrust between us?"
Why? Had he not cause for apprehension? he asked himself.
But her arms were about his neck, her head pillowed upon his shoulder.
The sweet perfume of violets intoxicated him. In a moment he became
convinced that she was terribly in earnest, and was confident of her
intense affection.
"I have no mistrust whatever, darling," he said reassuringly, stroking
her hair with infinite tenderness.
"I--I am satisfied," she murmured. "But tell me, Hugh, once more, that
I shall be your wife."
"Yes, indeed you shall, dearest; I care for no one else but you," said
he, with a grave look.
Her labouring heart throbbed against his as their lips met in a long
last caress. His anguished soul invoked the blessing on her that his
quivering lips refused to utter, and he tore himself away.
He took one look back, and saw her totter a few steps after him with
arms outstretched, then stop.
Gazing upon her with a loving glance, he waved his hand, and passed out.
When he had gone she stood motionless and silent for a few moments,
looking wildly around, but mute under the leaden weight of her thoughts.
Then she walked with slow, uneven steps to the ottoman by the fire, and
sank upon it.
The fierce strain had been removed from her nerves, and her happiness
found vent in hysterical sobs.
"I hate myself. It's horrible, and yet I am powerless," she cried
passionately.
Then she lapsed into a silence broken only by long, deep sighs.