was
working. Presently he spoke again.

"Phil, my darling," he said rather hesitatingly, "do you mind if I ask
you--but don't you like your ring? I notice you do not wear it--and if
you dislike it I will give you another. You shall have just what you
fancy."

"Oh," cried Philippa, "you are making a mistake; indeed I do not
dislike it. It is careless of me--to have forgotten it; you must
forgive me."

"There is nothing to forgive," he said earnestly. "Only I should like
you to wear something of mine besides that little trumpery brooch. You
are faithful to that and I love you for it. I thought perhaps you had
lost the ring and didn't like to tell me."

"I have not lost it."

"Will you fetch it, darling?"

"Of course I will fetch it," she said, rising as she spoke. "I will
bring it to you, and you will see that it is quite safe."

She hurried along the corridor with a sensation that was almost fear
quickening her pulses--and yet what she feared she did not know. As
she had told Isabella, she would not hesitate to answer whatever
question he might ask. It seemed that the moment was drawing very near
in which she would be called upon to keep her word.

She unlocked the dispatch-box and drew the ring from its resting-place,
and with it in her hand ran back to his room. Francis had risen from
the sofa. She was conscious of a wish that he had remained where he
was, she was not yet used to seeing him standing up, and it placed her
somehow at a disadvantage.

"Here it is," she said. "Quite safe, as I told you."

He took it from her, retaining possession of her hand, and drawing her
nearer to him at the same time. "Let me put it on."

She stood quietly while he placed it on her engagement finger, and
would then have moved, but he did not release her.

Suddenly he threw his arm round her. "Phil," he said passionately, "my
darling! You do not know how I love you, my dear, my dear! I don't
want to frighten you--I try to be patient--but if you knew how I crave
for a word from you! You are all that is sweet and dear and good, but
oh, how I long to hear you tell me, just once, that you love me! My
darling, if you have even a little love for me, I will teach you love's
fullness." He bent his head to hers and rested his face for a moment
on the dark softness of her hair. Then he held her from him, and
looked eagerly into her eyes. "Do you love me, sweetheart?" he
whispered.

Somewhere in the back o