ay you've been and thrown yourself away."

"Thrown myself away? What do you mean?"

"Oh, they'll make all sorts of objections, I know. They'll all be
against me, and--"

"For heaven's sake, explain yourself."

"Your aunt, she looked a very proud lady--very high and hard. I thought
so when she came here last term. But you're of age. You're your own
master. Oh, I trust you; you'll stand by me. If you love me really you
won't listen to them."

"Love you? I? Are you mad?"

Each stared at the other, utterly bewildered.

The girl was the first to break the silence. Her voice came in a
whisper. "You've not been playing a joke on me? You meant what you said,
didn't you?"

"What have I said?"

"You said you loved me."

"You must be dreaming."

"I'm not. Here are the ear-rings you gave me." She pinched them as
material proof. "You said you loved me just before you gave me them.
You know you did. And if I thought you'd been laughing at me all the
time--I'd--I'd"--a sob choked her voice--"I'd throw them in your face!"

"You must not speak to me in that manner," said the Duke coldly. "And
let me warn you that this attempt to trap me and intimidate me--"

The girl had flung the ear-rings at his face. She had missed her mark.
But this did not extenuate the outrageous gesture. He pointed to the
door. "Go!" he said.

"Don't try that on!" she laughed. "I shan't go--not unless you drag
me out. And if you do that, I'll raise the house. I'll have in the
neighbours. I'll tell them all what you've done, and--" But defiance
melted in the hot shame of humiliation. "Oh, you coward!" she gasped.
"You coward!" She caught her apron to her face and, swaying against the
wall, sobbed piteously.

Unaccustomed to love-affairs, the Duke could not sail lightly over a
flood of woman's tears. He was filled with pity for the poor quivering
figure against the wall. How should he soothe her? Mechanically he
picked up the two pearls from the carpet, and crossed to her side. He
touched her on the shoulder. She shuddered away from him.

"Don't," he said gently. "Don't cry. I can't bear it. I have been stupid
and thoughtless. What did you say your name was? 'Katie,' to be sure.
Well, Katie, I want to beg your pardon. I expressed myself badly. I was
unhappy and lonely, and I saw in you a means of comfort. I snatched
at you, Katie, as at a straw. And then, I suppose, I must have said
something which made you think I loved you. I almost wish I di