CHAPTER VI.

The lamps burned in a subdued way under their dark, rose-coloured
shades, the trail of the women's skirts hardly made any sound on the
thick carpet, the room was large, and the piano that was being played
mildly at the other end of it failed to disturb our conversation.

"Well, now, then?"

I leant over the back of Lucia's low easy-chair and waited eagerly for
her answer. It was the second night after my return to England. I had
dined with the Grants, and now in this dim, secluded corner of the
drawing-room I had the first opportunity of serious conversation with
her.

"I don't know, Victor; not at present."

"Lucia! what do you mean!"

"What I say, dearest," she answered quietly.

Looking down on her I could see, beneath a confusion of black eyelashes
and dark eyebrow, that the blue eyes looked straight out in front of
her, her arm lay along the wicker side-rest of the chair, languid,
indolent, relaxed.

"But why?" I said. "Why not at once? Tell me."

She was silent for some time, then she said,--

"When I came to you last year I urged our marriage, and you said it
could not be; now you urge it, and I say it cannot be. That's all."

I bit my lips suddenly, and I was glad she was not looking at me. I was
silent, too, for a minute; then I said,--

"But surely you are not thinking of punishing me for that; of avenging
yourself? You knew all the circumstances, and you acquiesced in my
decision. You would not now think of revenge--it is so unlike you!"

"Oh no, no! You misunderstood me. How can you think I should occupy
myself with a ridiculous, petty idea of revenge?" and she laughed a
slight, fatigued laugh. "No, I merely meant that Chance had so arranged
it."

"But how, then? There is no obstacle now."

"Not on your side; no."

"Then what is it, dearest, on yours?"

She did not answer me for a long time, and then it was seemingly with
reluctance, and a slight flush crept into her pale face as she said
merely the two words,--

"My health."

I hardly know exactly what sensation her answer roused in me, but I
think it was nearer relief than any other. In those few seconds of
silence all sorts of apprehensions and fears had crowded in upon me.
Her health! What barrier need that make between us? And in that moment
of selfish passion that was all I heeded.

"What has that to do with our marriage?" I asked, laughing, and bending
down farther over her. "You don't mean that you are too