"

"But I am glad you did," said Cynthia, almost inaudibly. Then she put
her hand on Hubert's arm, and looked at him with a soft and beautiful
expression in her large dark eyes. "I am glad, because it will make life
easier for me to know that you care for me. Now I want you to listen to
me for a few moments. From what you say, I think that this girl is weak
in health, an orphan, and not perhaps very happy in her home? Yes, that
is so--is it not? Do you think then that I would for a moment rob her of
what might make all her happiness? You say that she does not care for
you. But you may be mistaken; you know you thought that--that I did not
care either. You must wait for her, and see what will happen at the end
of the two years. If she claims you then--well, it will be for you to
decide whether you will marry her; but I shall not marry you unless she
gives you up of her own free will. And, if she does--and if you care for
me still----"

"Then you will be my wife?"

Cynthia paused.

"Then," she said slowly--"then you may, if you like, ask me again. But
then you will perhaps remember that I am a nobody--that I was born in a
cottage and educated at a charity-school--that I--that I---- No, I can't
tell you my history now--don't ask me; if you love me at all, don't ask
me that! I will tell you--I promise you--before I marry you, if ever--at
the end of two years--at the end of half a century--you ask me again."

She was weeping in his arms--she, the brilliant, joyous, successful
woman, with a life of distinction opening out before her, with spirits
and courage that never failed, with beauty and gifts that were capable
of charming all the world--weeping like a child, and in need of comfort
like a child. What could he do?

"My darling, my own darling," he said, "I cannot bear to hear you speak
so! Do you doubt my love for you, Cynthia? Tell me nothing but what you
please; I shall never ask you a question--never desire to know more than
what you choose to tell. And in two years---- Oh, what can I say? Marry
me to-morrow, Cynthia, my dearest, and let everything else go by!"

"And despise you ever after for yielding to my weakness?" she said,
checking her tears. "Do you think I could bear you to lower yourself for
my sake? No; you shall keep your word to her--to the woman, whoever she
may be, who has your word. But I--I have your heart."

She sent him away from her then with proud but gentle words, caressing
him, flattering