her, and she quailed before the passion in his
eyes.

"Give me _your_ orders," he said thickly, "and she goes, everything
goes! I'll throw over the whole thing to-night, work, honour, friends--
everything there is, if you will give me yourself--if you'll come to me
to-night, and let me take you away--Oh, my Beautiful, if you only
would..."

"Dane! Dane!" cried Cassandra sharply, "_I want to_!" She covered her
face with her hands, and he wrapped her close to his heart. "Am I
wicked? Am I wicked? I've always called a woman wicked who felt like
this, but it seems now as if it would be so right, so natural: so much
more natural than saying good-bye! But I can't--I can't do it. I'm
bound with chains. It's the boy's home..."

They clung together in silence. On this point at least there was
nothing more to be said, and each realised as much. The chains might
tear Cassandra's heart, but they would not give way, for they were
forged out of the strongest sentiment of the human heart. The mother in
her would not stain her boy's home. In the midst of his misery,
Peignton loved her the more for her loyalty.

Presently she spoke again in a low, exhausted voice:

"Dane--what shall you do?"

"I? I don't know. Leave Chumley as soon as possible. Go somewhere
else. It doesn't matter where. Nothing matters. But I must clear out
of this."

"Is it necessary? If we meet very seldom? Never, if you think it
better, in private! Would it really be easier if you never saw me? I
don't feel as if I can live if I lose you altogether. Even to see you
driving past in the street--"

Peignton shook his head.

"It's impossible. The thing could not be worked. The Squire would ask
me here. I could not always refuse. I couldn't stand it, Cassandra; it
would be too much for flesh and blood. It must be all or nothing."

"You won't go at once? I must see you again; I must! I must! There is
so much to say. I'm going to do what is right, Dane. I'm strong enough
for that, but I must have _something_ for myself! You will meet me
again, just once, to--to say good-bye--"

Her voice broke, and the tears poured down her cheeks. Dane kissed them
away, murmuring passionate words, promising everything she asked. If
they were to part for a lifetime, fate need not grudge them a short
hour. He promised, and Cassandra lay silent with closed eyes, her hands
clinging to his, her cheek touching his own. In both minds was the