er hands
between his, and leading her back to the sofa, where he sat down beside
her. Miss Assher was not unwilling to be led back or to listen, but she
retained her cold and haughty expression.

'Can you not trust me, Beatrice? Can you not believe me, although there
may be things I am unable to explain?'

'Why should there be anything you are unable to explain? An honourable
man will not be placed in circumstances which he cannot explain to the
woman he seeks to make his wife. He will not ask her to _believe_ that he
acts properly; he will let her _know_ that he does so. Let me go, sir.'

She attempted to rise, but he passed his hand round her waist and
detained her.

'Now, Beatrice dear,' he said imploringly, 'can you not understand that
there are things a man doesn't like to talk about--secrets that he must
keep for the sake of others, and not for his own sake? Everything that
relates to myself you may ask me, but do not ask me to tell other
people's secrets. Don't you understand me?'

'O yes,' said Miss Assher scornfully, 'I understand. Whenever you make
love to a woman--that is her secret, which you are bound to keep for her.
But it is folly to be talking in this way, Captain Wybrow. It is very
plain that there is some relation more than friendship between you and
Miss Sarti. Since you cannot explain that relation, there is no more to
be said between us.'

'Confound it, Beatrice! you'll drive me mad. Can a fellow help a girl's
falling in love with him? Such things are always happening, but men don't
talk of them. These fancies will spring up without the slightest
foundation, especially when a woman sees few people; they die out again
when there is no encouragement. If you could like me, you ought not to be
surprised that other people can; you ought to think the better of them
for it.'

'You mean to say, then, that Miss Sarti is in love with you, without your
ever having made love to her.'

'Do not press me to say such things, dearest. It is enough that you know
I love you--that I am devoted to you. You naughty queen, you, you know
there is no chance for any one else where you are. You are only
tormenting me, to prove your power over me. But don't be too cruel; for
you know they say I have another heart-disease besides love, and these
scenes bring on terrible palpitations.'

'But I must have an answer to this one question,' said Miss Assher, a
little softened: 'Has there been, or is there, any love on you