ne does. But had anything
happened, Anne, recollect it would have been your fault. You have been
very cool to me of late. You forbid me the house for weeks and weeks; you
went away for an indefinite period without letting me know, or giving me
the chance of seeing you; and when the correspondence was at length
renewed, your letters were cold and formal--quite different from what
they used to be. It almost looks as if you wished to part from me."

Repentance was stealing over her: why had she ever doubted him?

"And now you are going away again! And although this interview may be
our last for months, you scarcely deign to give me a word or a look of
farewell."

Anne had already been terribly tried by Mrs. Graves: this was the climax:
she lost her self-control and burst into tears. Lord Hartledon was
softened at once. He took her two hands in his; he clasped her to his
heart, half devouring her face with passionate kisses. Ah, Lady Maude!
this impassioned love was never felt for you.

"You don't love her?" whispered Anne.

"Love her! I never loved but you, my best and dearest. I never shall, or
can, love another."

He spoke in all good faith; fully believing what he said; and it was
indeed true. And Anne? As though a prevision had been upon her of the
future, she remained passively in his arms sobbing hysterically, and
suffering his kisses; not drawing away from him in maiden modesty, as
was her wont. She had never clung to him like this.

"You will write to me often?" he whispered.

"Yes. Won't you come to Cannes?"

"I don't know that it will be possible, unless you remain beyond the
spring. And should that be the case, Anne, I shall pray your father and
mother that the marriage may take place there. I am going up to town next
month to take my seat in the House. It will be a busy session; and I want
to see if I can't become a useful public man. I think it would please the
doctor to find I've some stuff in me; and a man must have a laudable
object in life."

"I would rather die," murmured Anne, passionately in her turn, "than hear
again what Mrs. Graves said."

"My darling, we cannot stop people's gossip. Believe in me; I will not
fail you. Oh, Anne, I wish you were already my wife!" he aspirated
fervently, his perplexities again presenting themselves to his mind.

"The time will come," she whispered.

Lord Hartledon walked home full of loyal thought, saying to himself what
an utter idiot he had been in re