lowered her pale face over her sister's arm.

"Beatrice," she said, slowly, "you must let me tell him. He cares for
me. He loves me; I promised to be his wife, and I love him--just as
you do Lord Airlie."

Under the shock of those words Beatrice Earle sat silent and motionless.

"I love him," continued Lillian. "I did not tell you. He said it was
not to be mentioned until you were married. I love him so dearly,
Beatrice--and when he asked me who it was I had been to meet, I could
not answer him. He was very angry; he said sharp, cruel words to me,
and I could not tell him how false they were. He will leave
Earlescourt; he will never look upon my face again unless I tell him
all. He has said so, and he will keep his word. Beatrice, must I lose
my love?"

"It would be only for a time," she replied. "I hate myself for being
so selfish, but I dare not trust Lionel Dacre. He is so impetuous, so
hasty, he would betray me, as surely as he knew it. Do you not remember
his saying the other day that it was well for him he had no secrets,
for he could not manage to keep them!"

"He would keep this," pleaded Lillian--"for your sake and mine."

"He would not," said Beatrice; "and I am so near freedom, so near
happiness. Oh, Lily, you have saved me once--save me again! My
darling, keep my secret until I am married; then I swear to you I will
tell Lionel every word honorably myself, and he will love you doubly.
Could you do this for me?"

"It is not fair to him--he has a right to my confidence--it is not fair
to myself, Beatrice."

"One of us must be sacrificed," returned her sister. "If myself, the
sacrifice will last my life--will cause my death; if you, it will last,
at the most, only three or four weeks. I will write to Lionel on my
wedding day."

"Why trust him then and not now?" asked Lillian.

"Because, once married to Lord Airlie, I shall have no fear. Three or
four weeks of happiness are not so much to give up for your own sister,
Lily. I will say no more. I leave it for you to decide."

"Nay, do not do that," said Lillian, in great distress. "I could not
clear myself at your expense"--a fact which Beatrice understood
perfectly well.

"Then let the matter rest," said her sister; "some day I shall be able
to thank you for all you have done for me--I can not now. On my wedding
day I will tell Lionel Dacre that the girl he loves is the truest, the
noblest, the dearest in the world."

"It is agai