ouls mingled, became fused in one,
forgetful of all beside.

Out of the silence the man's voice came, low and passionate. "_Le
bon Dieu_ knows how I want you, my bird of Paradise! But yet--but
yet--" Something seemed to choke his utterance. He gave a sudden gasp,
and bowed his head forward upon her shoulder.

Her arms were round him in an instant. "What is it, dearest? You are
ill!"

"No," he said. "No." But still he gasped for breath, and she fancied that
he repressed a shudder.

He raised his head after a moment. "Pardon me, _cherie_. I am only--weak.
Christine, all my life--all my life--I shall remember--how you were
ready--to give up all--all--for me. But, _mignonne_, I cannot take
such a sacrifice. I dare not. Go back to your husband, _cherie_. It is
your duty. You are his, not mine. We will not stain our love thus.
Christine"--his voice broke--"_ma mignonne_, I love you too well--too
well--to do this thing. You shall not be ruined--for my sake."

"Oh, but, Bertie!" she pleaded. She was clinging to him now; her
eyes implored him. "Think of me here without you! Never to see you
again--never to have a single word from you any more! Bertie, I can't
bear it--I can't bear it! It will be no sacrifice to me to come with
you. I don't mind hardship. I'm used to poverty, But here--but here--"

Her voice broke also, she could say no more. His arms went round her,
straining her to him. His face was close to hers. But his eyes were the
eyes of a man in torture.

"I know--I know all," he whispered. "Yet--my darling--you must stay--and
I must go. When Love demands a sacrifice--"

"I will sacrifice anything--everything--all I have!" she cried out
wildly.

"We must sacrifice each other," he said. "That is the test of our love,
_cherie_. That is the sacrifice that Love demands."

He spoke quite quietly, with the calmness of one who knew and faced the
worst. The torture in his eyes had turned to dumb endurance. "Only thus,"
he said--"only thus can we be true to our love. We sacrifice the little
for the much. _Mignonne_, believe me, it is worth it. You are mine, and I
am yours. So be it, then. Let us be--faithful."

He spoke with the utmost tenderness; yet was she awed. Her sudden
rebellion died. It was as though a quiet hand had been laid upon her
heart, stilling her pain. For one moment she looked with him across the
long, dark furrows of mortal life into the great Beyond, and knew that he
had spoken the truth. Their l