ughtily; "I am speaking
of you and myself. Hugh, if you will give me my freedom if you will
agree to forget the foolish promise of a foolish child--I will respect
and esteem you while I live; I shall bless you every day; your name
will be a sacred one enshrined in my heart, your memory will be a
source of pleasure to me. You shall be my friend, Hugh, and I will be
a true friend to you."

"Beatrice," he cried, "do not tempt me!"

"Yes, be tempted," she said; "let me urge you to be generous, to be
noble! See, Hugh, I have never prayed to any man--I pray to you; I
would kneel here at your feet and beseech you to release me from a
promise I never meant to give."

Her words touched him. She saw the softened look upon his face, the
flaming anger die out of his eyes.

"Hugh," she said, softly, "I, Beatrice Earle, pray you, by the love you
bear me, to release me from all claim, and leave me in peace.

"Let me think," he replied; "give me a few minutes; no man could part
so hastily with the dearest treasure he has. Let me think what I lose
in giving you up."

Chapter XL

They stood for some time in perfect silence; they had wandered down to
the very edge of the lake. The water rippled in the moonlight, and
while Hugh Fernely thought, Beatrice looked into the clear depths. How
near she was to her triumph! A few minutes more and he would turn to
her and tell her she was free. His face was growing calm and gentle.
She would dismiss him with grateful thanks; she would hasten home. How
calm would be that night's sleep! When she saw Lord Airlie in the
morning, all her sorrow and shame would have passed by. Her heart beat
high as she thought of this.

"I think it must be so," said Hugh Fernely, at last; "I think I must
give you up, Beatrice. I could not bear to make you miserable. Look
up, my darling; let me see your face once more before I say goodbye."

She stood before him, and the thick dark shawl fell from her shoulders
upon the grass; she did not miss it in the blinding joy that had fallen
upon her. Hugh Fernely's gaze lingered upon the peerless features.

"I can give you up," he said, gently; "for your own happiness, but not
to another, Beatrice. Tell me that you have not learned to love
another since I left you."

She made no reply--not to have saved her life a thousand times would
she have denied her love for Lord Airlie. His kiss was still warm on
her lips--those same lips should never deny h