llness
that gave him a look of sternness. He spoke as she ended, possibly
because he realized that she would not be able to endure the briefest
silence at that moment, possibly because he dreamed of filling up the gap
ere it widened to an irreparable breach.

"But, Dinah," he said, "don't you know he loves you?"

She flung her hands wide in a gesture of the most utter despair. "That's
just the very worst part of it," she said. "That's just why there is no
getting away."

"You don't want his love?" Scott questioned, his voice very low.

She shook her head in instant negation. "Oh no, no, no!"

He bent slightly towards her, looking into her face of quivering
agitation. "Dinah, are you sure it isn't all this pomp and circumstance
that is frightening you? Are you sure you have no love at all in your
heart for him?"

She did not shrink from his look. Though she thought his eyes were stern,
she met them with the courage of desperation. "I am quite--quite--sure,"
she told him brokenly. "I never loved him. I was dazzled, that's all.
But now--but now--the glamour is all gone. I would give anything--oh,
anything in the world--if only he would marry Rose de Vigne instead!"

Her voice failed and with it her strength. She covered her face and wept
hopelessly, tragically.

Scott stood motionless by her side. His brows were drawn as the brows of
a man in pain, but the eyes below them had the brightness of unwavering
resolution. There was something rocklike about his pose.

The pattering of the rain mingled with the sound of Dinah's anguished
sobbing; there seemed to be no other sound in all the world.

He moved at last, and into his eyes there came a very human look,
dispelling all hardness. He bent to her again, his hand upon her
shoulder. "My child," he said gently, "don't be so distressed! It isn't
too late--even now."

He felt her respond to his touch, but she could not lift her head. "I can
never face him," she sobbed hopelessly. "I shall never, never dare!"

"You must face him," Scott said quietly but very firmly. "You owe it to
him. Do you consider that you would be acting fairly by him if you
married him solely for the reasons you have just given to me?"

She shrank at his words, trembling all over like a frightened child. But
his hand was still upon her, restraining panic.

"He will be so angry--so furious," she faltered.

"I will help you," Scott said steadily.

"Ah!" she caught at the promise with an eage