en had I presumed; and,
leaning forward, clasped her little hands nervously round her knees.

Then she looked up at me through her mask; and I did not keep her waiting.

"I've no invitation to-night," I said. "But I had to come. I came to see
you. Do you forgive me for saying this?"

"I--think so," she answered.

"You would be sure, if you knew all."

"I do know. At least--I mean--but of course, I oughtn't to be here with
you."

"According to convention you oughtn't. Yet--"

"I'm not thinking of conventions. But--oh, I should hate you to
misunderstand!"

"I could never misunderstand."

I snatched off my mask and stood looking down at her, knowing that my face
would say what was in my heart, and not now wishing to hide the secret.

"You know," I said, "that I've worshipped you since the first moment I saw
you. It was impossible to meet you in any ordinary way, for you have no
friend who would introduce to you the Marques de Casa Triana. Have you
ever heard that name before, Lady Monica?"

"Yes," she answered frankly. "I heard it yesterday. From Angele de la
Mole."

"Her brother's a friend of my best friend."

"I know."

"If it hadn't been for him, I should have had great trouble in getting
here to-night. Yet I would have come. Did Mademoiselle de la Mole tell you
that I loved you?"

Lady Monica dropped her head and did not answer, but the little hands were
pressed tightly together.

"I've always been proud of my name," I said, "though it's counted a
misfortune to bear it; but when I saw you, then I knew for the first time
how great a misfortune it may be."

"Why?"

"Because my only happiness can come now in having you for my wife; and
even if I could win your love, you wouldn't be allowed to marry my
father's son."

"Your father may have been mistaken," the girl faltered. "I do think he
was. But he was a gloriously brave man. Even the enemies against whom he
fought must respect his memory. I--I've read of him. I--bought a book
yesterday. You see--I've thought about you. I couldn't help it. We saw each
other only those few minutes, and we didn't even speak; yet somehow it was
different from anything else that ever happened to me."

"It was fate," I said. "We were destined to meet, and I was destined to
love you. If I thought I could make you care, that would give me a right I
couldn't have otherwise; the right to try and win your love, and beat down
every obstacle."

"I could--I _do_ care," sh