e
together in whatever was best in both of us. I declare that I never
spoke one word of love to her until the night on which she made me
promise to write the letter which she sent to you. I must not--dare
not--speak of scruples on your side. They are no scruples; they are
stern and cruel facts which can only be surmounted by great courage. But
they have been surmounted by others, and we believe--Madge and I both
believe--that we have the courage and the constancy to face them. Madge
tells me that without your consent our case is hopeless. I know how
unlikely it is that it should be given; but if it should be given--if by
any chance you should be brought to change your present mind--I promise
you by everything that men hold sacred that I will honour and treasure
her and cherish her as my true wife in the sight of God and men, and
that the tie on my side will be not less binding, but beyond measure
more sacred because her claim appeals only to honour and manhood, and is
not enforced by law. I plead for myself, Mrs. Hampton, and you will tell
me with perfect justice that you are not called upon in the remotest
degree to consult my wishes or to sympathize with any grief I may have
brought upon myself. But there is another side to the question, and
your daughter will tell you if I am right in thinking it a million times
stronger than my own. You have known her and have loved her tenderly all
her life. I have known her for little more than half a year; but I am
sure of this: her affections are not lightly engaged or easily cast
away.'

She had raised her hand against him more than once as if to interrupt
him, but he had not checked the impetuous torrent of his speech until he
had poured out all he had to say. Now, with a forlorn outward gesture of
the hands, and a lax dropping of them to either side, he stood awaiting
judgment.

Madge broke silence for the second time.

'There is no need for Mr. Armstrong to stay longer now. You and I must
talk together, mother; and I will write to him to-night.'

Her face was of a striking pallor, except where the salt of tears had
scalded it; but she spoke with an entire possession of herself, and Paul
wondered at her steadfastness and courage.

'There is one thing more,'he said: 'if you can be brought to sanction
this union, sanctify it by coming with us both to Europe. Live with
us, and help me to secure Madge's happiness. Your presence there would
silence every wicked tongue, and i