hed and white, and he saw the empty phial upon the table. The
whole truth swept in upon him. He staggered and almost fell with her.

"It is best so," she whispered. "I only minded when--I thought that
you might not be back in time. I am quite--content now!"

"A doctor!" he cried hoarsely. "I must fetch a doctor! Adrea----"

"Please don't!" she interrupted. "Long before he could come--I should
be dead. It is so much better! Did you think, Paul, that I could have
you--tied for life--to a poor, hunted woman--forced to live always
in a foreign country? Oh! no, no! I have had this poison by me ever
since--in case--anything happened. Paul, carry me--to the sofa! There
is--no pain--but I am getting weaker--very weak. My eyes are a little
dim, too--but I can see you--Paul!"

He obeyed her, and sank on his knees, with his arms still around her.
It seemed to him that she had never been so lovely as in those last
few minutes of her life. It was wonderful to see her resigned as she
was.

There was a brief silence, broken only by a sharp, convulsed sob from
the kneeling man. Adrea, who heard it, stretched out her hand, and
passed it caressingly along the side of his face. He caught it and
covered it with kisses.

"Paul, we have been happy together, have we not?"

"My darling, you know it!"

She raised herself a little, and spoke earnestly. "For me--it has been
like heaven--and yet I am not sure--that it would have lasted.
You would have wearied soon! My nature is too light a one to have
satisfied you always. I have felt it! I--I know it!"

She paused, struggling for breath. He did not answer her. He only
held her tighter, and whispered her name lovingly. In a moment she
re-opened her eyes.

"So--it is best--" she continued, with a little more effort. "Paul,
things seem all so clear--to me now! I think of you in the future--it
must be a happy future, Paul--I know it will! I see you the master of
that grand old home of yours, up amongst the moors you love so much.
I can see you there in the future, living your quiet, country
life--always the same, honourable and just. I like to think of you
there--it is so natural. I want you--to forget--these days then!
Remember that it was--I--who--came to you, Paul! You had no--choice.
I would come. If there has been--any sin--it has been--mine only. You
were far above--poor me! I have dragged you down--a little way--but
you will go back again! You will marry--some one good and worthy o