n to see you. May I not come in?"

She stepped back.

"Come in, of course," she said, making an obvious effort to infuse
cordiality into her tone. "Come in here."

He fumbled with his coat in the hall, and by the time he followed her
into the drawing-room she had recovered her composure.

She began rather breathlessly to talk commonplaces. At first he answered
in the same strain, but directly he made a serious attempt to turn the
conversation to the subject of his call she adroitly interrupted him.

"You'll have some tea?" she said presently, getting up and moving
towards the door.

"Er-no-no, thanks, Miss Coburn, not any. I wanted really--"

"But I want some tea," she persisted, smiling. "Come, you may help me to
get it ready, but you must have some to keep me company."

He had perforce to obey, and during the tea-making she effectually
prevented any serious discussion. But when the meal was over and they
had once more settled down in the drawing-room he would no longer be
denied.

"Forgive me," he entreated, "forgive me for bothering you, but it's so
desperately important to me. And we may be interrupted. Do hear what
I've got to say."

Without waiting for permission he plunged into the subject. Speaking
hoarsely, stammering, contradicting himself, boggling over the words, he
yet made himself clear. He loved her; had loved her from that first day
they had met; he loved her more than anything else in the world; he--She
covered her face with her hands.

"Oh!" she cried wildly. "Don't go on! Don't say it!" She made a
despairing gesture. "I can't listen. I tried to stop you."

Merriman felt as if a cold weight was slowly descending upon his heart.

"But I will speak," he cried hoarsely. "It's my life that's at stake.
Don't tell me you can't listen. Madeleine! I love you. I want you to
marry me. Say you'll marry me. Madeleine! Say it!"

He dropped on his knees before her and seized her hands in his own.

"My darling," he whispered fiercely. "I love you enough for us both. Say
you'll marry me. Say--"

She wrenched her hands from him. "Oh!" she cried as if heartbroken, and
burst into an uncontrollable flood of tears.

Merriman was maddened beyond endurance by the sight

"What a brute I am!" he gasped. "Now I've made you cry."

"For pity's sake! Do stop it! Nothing matters about anything else if only
you stop!"

He was almost beside himself with misery as he pleaded with her. But
soon he pulled himsel