mply a generous man when I
offered to guard and aid you--when I took you to my house, placed you in
my mother's care, and lavished affection upon you? If so, put away the
hallucination. Consider me no longer your friend, look at me as I am, a
jealous and selfishly exacting man, who stands before you to-day and tells
you he loves you. Oh, Electra! From the morning when you first showed me
your sketches, you have been more than my life to me. Every hope I have
centred in you. I have not deceived myself; I knew that you loved Russell.
When he came here, I saw that the old fascination still kept its hold upon
you, but I saw, too, what you saw quite as plainly--that in Russell
Aubrey's heart there is room for nothing but ambition. I knew how you
suffered, and I believed it was the death-struggle of your love. But,
instead, I find you, day by day, before that easel--oblivious of me, of
everything but the features you cling to so insanely. Do you wonder that I
hate that portrait? Do you wonder that I am growing desperate? If he loved
you in return, I could bear it better; but as it is, I am tortured beyond
all endurance. I have spent nearly three years in trying to gain your
heart; all other aims have faded before this one absorbing love. To-day I
lay it at your feet, and ask if I have not earned some reward. Oh, Electra!
have you no gratitude?"

A scarlet spot burned on his pale cheeks, and the mild liquid grey eyes
sparkled like stars.

He stretched out his hand, but she drew back a step.

"God forgive me! but I have no such love for you."

A ghastly smile broke over his face, and, after a moment, the snowy
handkerchief he passed across his lips was stained with ruby streaks.

"I know that, and I know the reason. But, once more, I ask you to give me
your hand. Electra, dearest, do not, I pray you, refuse me this. Oh, child!
give me your hand, and in time you will learn to love me."

He seized her fingers, and stooped his head till the silky brown beard
mingled with her raven locks.

"Mr. Clifton, to marry without love would be a grievous sin; I dare not. We
would hate each other. Life would be a curse to both, and death a welcome
release. Could you endure a wife who accepted your hand from gratitude and
pity? Oh! such a relationship would be horrible beyond all degree. I
shudder at the thought."

"But you would learn to love me."

"But you cannot take Russell's place. None can come between him and my
heart."

"El