ould give my wife, and perhaps
with a certain degree of liking for the kind of free-lance reputation I
am told I possess, I should have carried my point, and presented the
future Baroness de Burgh to my venerable kinsman months ago."

"And suppose the unfortunate heiress had been a soft-hearted, simple
girl?" said Katherine, with a slight faltering in her tones. "Suppose
she were credulous, loving, attracted by you--you are probably
attractive to some women--and married you believing in your
disinterested affection?"

De Burgh, who had risen from half-recumbent position, and stood leaning
against a larger fragment of rock, paused before he replied: "I think
that I am a gentleman enough not to be a brute, but I rather believe a
woman of the type you describe would not have a blissful existence with
me."

"I am sure of it. You are quite capable of making the life of such a
woman too dreadful to think of." She shuddered slightly.

De Burgh looked curiously at her. "If you will have the goodness to
undertake my punishment," he said, "by marrying me without love, and
letting me prove how earnestly I could serve you and strive to win it,
I'll strike the bargain this moment. I have been reckless and
unfortunate. Now give me a chance; for I _do_ love you, Katherine. I'd
love you if you were the humblest of undowered women."

The tears stood in her eyes, for the passion and feeling in his voice
struck home to her.

"I believe it," she said, softly, "and I am almost sorry I cannot love
you. But I do not, nor do I think I ever could. You will find others
quite as likely to draw forth your affection as I am. But there are some
natural barriers of disposition, and--oh, I cannot define what--which
hold us apart. Yet I am interested in you, and would like to know you
were happy. Yet, Mr. De Burgh, I must not sacrifice my life to you. If I
did, the result might not be satisfactory even to yourself."

"Sacrifice your life! What an unflattering expression!" cried De Burgh,
with a hard laugh. "So there is no hope for me?"

Katherine shook her head.

"I felt there was but little when I began," he said, as if to himself.
"Tell me, are you free? Has some more fortunate fellow than myself
touched that impregnable heart of yours? I know I have no right to ask
such a question."

"You have not indeed, Mr. De Burgh. And if I could not with truth say
'no,' I should be vexed with you for asking it. Weighted as I am with
money enough to