ights, have I heard the echo of your wild, despairing cry: 'You have
ruined my life!' Oh, my darling! If you withhold yourself, if you cast
me away, you will indeed ruin mine. If you could realize how I wince at
the recollection of your suffering, you would not cruelly remind me of
my own accursed work."

"If the soul of my brother be ransomed thereby, I shall thank you, even
for all that X---cost me. The world knows now, that no suspicion clings
to me; but, Mr. Dunbar, the disgrace blots forever the dear name I
tried to shield; and my vindication only blackens Bertie."

"The world will never know. Your sad secret shall be kept, and my name
shall wrap you in ermine, and my love make your future redeem the past.
Having found my darling, can I afford to run the risk of losing her?
You belong to me, and I will not trust you out of my sight, until the
law gives me a husband's claim. The mother of one of my oldest friends
is boarding here in Niagara. I will commit you to her care until
to-morrow; then some church will furnish an altar where you shall
pledge me your loyalty."

"Impossible! To-night a train will take me to Buffalo, where I can
catch the express going West. There are reasons why I must make no
delay; must hasten back to explain many things to the Matron of the
Sisterhood, where I have dwelt so safely and so peacefully since I left
X---."

"Give me the reasons. 'Impossible' ne me dites jamais ce bete de mot!'
Give me your reasons."

His arm tightened around her.

"Not now."

"Then you shall not leave me. I will endure no more mysteries."

"Mr. Dunbar, I wear the uniform of a celibate Order of Gray Sisters;
and the matron trusted me in an unusual degree, when she consented that
I should undertake this journey on a secret mission. I came to Niagara,
as I supposed, to keep an appointment with my brother, and I met you.
If I lingered one instant here, it might reflect some discredit upon
this dear gray garb, which all hold so irreproachable. Sister Ruth
trusted me. I cannot, I will not, even in the smallest iota, appear to
betray her confidence; and I must go at once, and go as I came--alone.
Bid the driver take me to the railway station, and you must remain in
the carriage. I can have no escort. Your presence would subject me to
criticism, and I will guard the 'gray' that so mercifully guarded me."

"Beryl, are you trying to elude me?"

"I am faithfully trying to keep my compact with Sister Ruth. Here i