see me?"

"When he heard he was to die he asked for you. Claire, if you only
knew how he longs to see you; had you only seen his eyes when he
heard you come! You know why--"

She nodded gravely.

"I suppose," she said slowly, "we had better say nothing of--"

"Nothing," I answered; "it is better so. If there be any knowledge
beyond the grave he will know all soon."

Claire was silent.

"Yes," she assented at length, "it is better so. Take me to him."

I drew back as Claire approached the bed, dreading to meet Tom's
eyes; but I saw them welcome her in a flash of thankful rapture, then
slowly close as though unable wholly to bear this glad vision.

Altogether lovely she was as she bent and lifted his nerveless hand,
with the light of purest compassion on her face.

"You have come then," said the dying man. "God bless you for that!"

"I am come, and oh! I am so very, very sorry."

"I saw Jasper write and knew he had sent, but I hardly dared to hope.
I am--very weak--and am going--fast."

For answer, a tear of infinite pity dropped on the white hand.

"Don't weep--I can't bear to see you weeping. It is all for the
best. I can see that I have had hopes and visions, but I should
never have attained them--never. Now I shall not have to strive.
Better so--better so."

For a moment or two the lips moved inaudibly; then they spoke again--

"It was so good of you--to come; I was afraid--afraid--but you are
good. You saved my play last night, but you cannot save--me."
A wan smile played over the white face and was gone.

"Better so, for I can speak now and be pardoned. Do you know why I
sent for you? I wanted to tell something--before I died. Do not be
angry--I shall be dead soon, and in the grave, they say, there is no
knowledge. Clarissa! oh, pity me--pity me, if I speak!"

The eyes looked up imploringly and met their pardon.

"I have loved you--yes, loved you. Can you forgive? It need not
distress--you--now. It was mad--mad--but I loved you. Jasper, come
here."

I stepped to the bed.

"Tell her I loved her, and ask her--to forgive me. Tell her I knew
it was hopeless. Tell her so, Jasper."

Powerless to meet those trustful eyes, weary with the anguish of my
remorse, I stood there helpless.

"Jasper is too much--upset just now to speak. Never mind, he will
tell you later. He is in love himself. I have never seen her, but I
hope he may be happier than I. Forgive me for saying that.