ling
daughters. And it is because there is no fitting place for
me by your side that I am very well content to die. For
myself, I have well counted the cost. Death is an infinite
compulsion. Our little lives are but the veriest trifle in
the scale of eternity. Whether we go into everlasting sleep,
or into some other mystic state, a few short years here more
or less are no great matter, Berenice."

Again there came that curious pain at his heartstrings, and the
singing in his ears. The pen slipped from his fingers; his head
drooped.

"Berenice!" he whispered. "Berenice!"

* * * * *

And as though by a miracle she heard him, for she was close at hand.
Whilst he had been writing, the door was softly opened and closed, a
tall, grey-mantled figure stood upon the threshold. It was Berenice!

"May I come in?" she cried softly. Her face was flushed, and her
cheeks were wet, but a smile was quivering upon her lips.

He did not answer. She came into the room, close to his side. Her
fingers clasped the hand which was hanging over the side of his chair.
The lamp had burnt very low; she could scarcely see his face.

"Dear, I have come to you," she murmured. "I am sorry. I want you to
forgive me. I do love you! you know that I love you!"

The pressure of her fingers upon his hand was surely returned. She
stood up, and her cloak slipped from her shoulders on to the floor.

"Why don't you speak to me? Don't you hear? Don't you understand? I
have come to you! I will not be sent away! It is too late! My carriage
brought me here. I have told my people that I shall not be returning!
Come away with me to-night! Let us start now! Listen! it is too late
to draw back! Every one knows that I have come to you! We shall be so
happy! Tell me that you are glad!"

There was no answer. He did not move. She came close to him, so that
her cheek almost touched his.

"Tell me that you are glad," she begged. "Don't argue with me any
more. If you do, I shall stop your mouth with kisses. I am not like
you, dear! I must have love! I cannot live alone any longer! I have
touched the utmost limits of my endurance! I _will_ stay with you! You
_shall_ love me! Listen! If you do not, I swear--but no! You will save
me from that! Oh, I know that you will! But don't argue with me! Words
are so cold, and I am a woman--and I must love and be loved, or I
shall die.... Ah!"

She started rou