o
prevent our loving?"

"My husband," she said, and the words brought back fear to her heart.

"I thought you were a woman of the world," he replied scornfully. "Do
you mean to tell me that you are afraid?"

"Yes," said Marion resolutely.

"Then you must drown your fear in love," he answered, drawing his arm
about her shoulders.

"You must leave me," she pleaded, trying to release herself.

"Not until you say you love me," was his answer.

"That I do not hate you ought to tell you that; O, I can't say any more.
Leave me, I entreat you."

"I will not leave you, my Marion," he replied impetuously. "I must have
your love." And he leaned forward and kissed her. A dress rustled behind
the palms. Duncan heard it and quickly released Marion, who darted away
and ran toward the ball-room; and Duncan, glancing anxiously through the
foliage, saw a crimson gown hurrying through the other door. "Confound
my luck!" he muttered. "I thought I knew something about this sort of
thing, but I was a fool to take such chances."

Inside the ball-room Marion found her husband, standing among a group of
men, watching the dancing. "I am going home, Roswell," she said, taking
his arm and drawing him away. "Find Florence, won't you?"

"Yes, dear," he replied. "Are you ill?" he added, thinking it unusual
for his wife to leave so early.

"I feel tired, that is all. Tell Florence she can go home with Mrs.
Smythe if she chooses."

Roswell Sanderson went in search of Florence and soon returned with her.
He had given her Marion's message, but Florence did not care to remain,
so she excused herself to her partner in the cotillon and hurried away
with Roswell. "What is the matter?" she anxiously asked Marion.

"I feel a little faint and I think I will go home," was the answer.
Florence thought Marion seemed agitated rather than faint. She wondered
what had happened, but thinking it unwise to pursue the matter further,
she walked on quietly beside Marion and her husband. On the stairs they
met Duncan; Marion tried to avoid him, but he came toward her and said
calmly: "I have been looking everywhere for you, Mrs. Sanderson. Have
you forgotten you have a partner in the cotillon?"

"No;" Marion replied. "But you must excuse me as I feel quite tired; I
am going home."

"I feel cheated," answered Duncan; "the more so as I leave to-morrow and
must say good-by, now." He put out his hand and Marion took it. She
tried not to look at him, but an i