iful
for you, everything proud and good and noble for you if I could. But I
am only Hermy Chesterton, a Tenth Avenue girl, and--my brother--So I'm
going to send you away, back to your own world, back to your own kind
because--because I do love you so! Ah, God, never doubt my love,
but--you must go--"

"Never, Hermione, never!"

"You must! You will, I know, because your love is a big, generous
love--because you are chivalrous and strong and gentle--because I beg
and implore you if you have any pity for me--go--"

"But why?--Why?"

"Oh, must I tell you that--can't you understand?"

"Why must I go, Hermione?"

"Because," she murmured, her yearning arms close about him, her face
close hidden against his breast, "because I'll never--marry
you--now--but I love you--love you so much that I'm afraid--ah, not of
you. So, I must be alone--quite alone--to fight my battle. And now--now
that I've shown you all my heart, told you all my weakness, you'll go
for my sake--just for my sake--won't you?"

"Yes--I'll--go!" he answered slowly.

"Away from here--to-night?"

"Yes," he answered hoarsely, "yes!"

Then Hermione fell suddenly before him on her knees, and, before he
could stay her, had caught his hands, kissing them, wetting them with
her tears, and pressing them passionately to her bosom.

"I knew," she cried, "I knew that you were strong and gentle and--good.
Good-by--oh, my love--good-by!"

"Hermione," said he, kissing her bowed head, "oh, my Hermione, I love
you with a love that will die only when I do. I want you, and I'll never
lose hope of winning you--some day, never give up my determination to
marry you--never, so help me God!"

Then swiftly he turned away but, reaching the door, stooped and picked
up M'Ginnis's neckerchief and, recognising it, crumpled it in fierce
hand; so, with it clenched in griping fingers, he hurried away and left
her there upon her knees.

CHAPTER XXX

HOW GEOFFREY RAVENSLEE DEPARTED FROM HELL'S KITCHEN

"What, back again already, Mr. Geoffrey?" exclaimed Mrs. Trapes, poking
her head around the kitchen door, as Ravenslee entered the flat, "back
so soon?"

"Only for a minute, Mrs. Trapes."

"Supper'll be ready soon--your wedding supper, eh, Mr. Geoffrey? You'll
have it here with me, you an' Hermy, o' course! Smells kind o' good,
don't it?"

"Delicious, Mrs. Trapes!"

"Delicious is the word, Mr. Geoffrey--stooed beef with carrots--"

"And onions, Mrs. Trapes--onio