put a
trace of sternness in his voice. "You must give us some explanation of
your conduct, dear. You are not acting fairly by Reg."

"Oh, Amy, darling, I'll forgive anything. Only do tell me what has come
between us," said Reg, coming quickly forward, and taking her hand he
led her to a sofa.

At length her sobs became less violent, and she tried to say with some
air of decision:

"I want you to release me, Reg. I find I do not love you sufficiently to
be your wife."

"Release you!" cried Reg, starting.

"Yes, Reg dear. I cannot marry you now. I thought I loved you, but I
find now I love another."

"Is _he_ the other?" asked Reg, sternly.

"Yes, I love Wyck."

"Wyck! is that Mr. Wyckliffe?"

"Yes. He told me to call him Wyck;" and here she began feverishly to
pull off her engagement ring.

"Oh, don't take that off," cried Reg, in a pained voice.

"I must, Reg, I must. He told me to;" and she handed back the ring she
had worn and caressed so long.

"Then all is over between us," said Reg, quietly.

"Yes, Reg. I am sorry, but it must be," and she slowly rose and went to
her room, not noticing any of the others.

"Reg, my dear boy, bear up; be a man. God knows, it is a severe blow for
us. So changed; so different! Had anyone told me that such a catastrophe
could happen in such a short time, I would have given him the lie
direct."

"Yes, Whyte, you are right. It is a blow, but there are times in every
man's life when he is called on to bear the heaviest burdens, and it is
his duty to submit. She has told me she prefers Wyck, as she calls him,
to me; so I give way, and God grant he may make her happy."

"He is a stranger to us and, if he does marry her, he will take her away
from us, and we may never meet again. With her all our happiness
disappears," and tears again welled in the good old man's eyes.

"Whyte, I must see this man," said Reg, firmly, but threateningly.

"Reg, I beg you won't interfere. It will do no good. Promise me you will
not interfere," said Whyte, imploringly, for he feared the consequences
if Reg and his rival met.

"What shall I do then, dad?" he said, sadly.

"Go away for a few days. This sudden infatuation may go as quickly as it
came, and when you return, perhaps we may see a change."

"Very well, dad. Your advice is always good. I will go away for a week,
and wander about somewhere to kill time."

That evening he took the mail to Dover, and with a heavy heart crossed
t