king of. Please go as soon as possible," he pleaded, laying his hand
gently upon my shoulder. "Take her with you, and let me stay."

My heart seemed suddenly to have stopped beating.

"My God, Rayel!" I exclaimed. "Are we both in love with the same woman?"

"No, Kendric, no," he said quickly, taking my hand. "I do not mean that.
I would not permit myself to love her, knowing that you love her also."

"What, then, do you mean?" I asked.

"That there is danger," he answered huskily, sinking into a chair. "I am
a fool not to have thought of it long ago!"

His words seemed to sting me, and for a moment I could not speak.

"You know what is in her heart, Rayel," I said presently. "Tell me, is
it false, or is she, as I have thought, a pure and noble woman?"

"She is pure and worthy of your love," he answered. "Her life has been
much exposed to temptation, but her character has been greater than any
temptation. When she began to go with me among the poor I did not know
what love was. I had never felt the power of it, nor did I think of the
danger to all of us. When at last it came upon me, and I saw what
it meant, I resolved not to see Hester again until God had given me
strength to subdue that passion. For days my heart was near breaking.
When you asked me to tell you what made me sad, I had not the courage to
do it. Then I told you a lie. I did the very thing which I have so much
condemned in others. This trouble has taught me to comprehend and to
pity the frailty of men. I look forward with fear and dread for my own
sake.. I shall be safe in my father's house. I must go back, but, before
I go, forgive me. Tell me that you do not despise me."

As he ceased speaking he laid his hand upon my shoulder and peered into
my face with a frightened and appealing look.

"Despise you!" I repeated. "No. You are dearer to me now than ever. What
you have told me will bring us closer to each other, if we consider it
wisely. As yet there is no pledge between Hester and myself, save the
assurance given by unuttered thoughts. Her heart is free. I have no
right to claim it. If she loves you I shall wish you both much joy."

"That will not be necessary, Kendric. I had rather die than know that I
had come between you. I cannot even risk the danger of it. I must leave
you to-morrow."

"Under no circumstances will I consent to that. My promise to your
father and my duty to you forbid it. To go back now would be cowardly
and unworthy of