epend that the confidence you may place in me
will be held sacred.' Then less quickly, 'Will you tell me, have you
an understanding, or are you engaged, or do you care for any one
else?'

"For a moment I thought of entering into an explanation--of telling
him what my aunt expected of me, and what I intended doing--only I
did not myself know what I intended doing; and it seemed absurd to
begin such an account without being able to complete it. Besides, if
he thought I cared for some one else, it would end the matter and
save a world of argument; so I replied hesitatingly, 'I am sorry,
Mr. Kenderdine, that I cannot answer your question, but--'

"'Enough: I understand.'

"Then our canter quickened into a gallop, and the gallop into a
race. I am quite sure those horses never went at such a pace in
their lives before. Fred seemed unconscious of the run we were
making of it, unconscious of everything, urging his poor beast
whenever it flagged, and fretting its mouth by alternately jerking
and loosening the reins, until had it been anything but a livery
hack it would have been frantic. Conversation was impossible, and I
had nothing to sustain me during the ride but the satisfaction of
feeling that I had done my duty."

"It don't seem to me that you are getting any nearer the end of your
story."

"The darkest hour is that which precedes the dawn," said Eleanor,
adding maliciously, "if you are tired I will tell you the rest
to-morrow. Don't you see that I must bring you up to it gradually,
so that the shock will not be too great?"

"But think of the suspense I am in."

"My dear, the first steps in any career are as important as the
last; so curb your curiosity and listen. If you were telling it, you
would not get on one bit faster."

"Perhaps not," I answered doubtfully: "however, continue."

"Thanks to our haste, we got to Paris early enough to allow me to
rest and have supper. I had sent on my baggage by express, and had
nothing to worry about Starting at seven, I should arrive next
morning at Brussels. I can sleep famously in the cars, and I
apprehended no difficulty. Fred, looking as black as a thundercloud,
took me to the station, and was preposterous enough to ask me if I
was not sorry I was going."

"And what did you say?"

"Say? Why, the truth--that