ll smiling. "What will the honorable member
from Ohio say to that?"

"You allude to Mr. More, I suppose," she said, still coldly. "I am aware
gossip has coupled our names, and gossip is about as correct in this
instance as it usually is."

"You are not engaged to him, then!"

"I am engaged to no one. I care nothing for Mr. More, in the way you
mean. Even if I did, I still would not dream of marrying him."

"And why not?"

"Why not? You ask me that--you who know the cruel, shameful story of my
past, the story I should have to tell."

"You were far more sinned against than sinning, and you have atoned."

She looked up suddenly--a swift flash of light in her eyes.

"Mr. Gilbert! _You_ say that! If I could only think so, only hope I had
atoned!"

"You have indeed. I say it with all my heart. Your revenge has been a
noble one. You have blest and brightened the life of Helen and her
children. For him--he wrought his doom with his own hand! You have
atoned."

"To Helen and her children--perhaps yes," she said, her voice broken and
low; "but the greatest wrong of all was not done to them. Years ago I
sinned against you, beyond all forgiveness. The remorse of my life is
for that. You did me so much honor, you trusted me so entirely, and
I--ah! what a wretch I must have been in your eyes, what a wretch I must
be still."

He arose to his feet, moved beyond all power of silence now.

"Must be still," he repeated. "Norine! _why_ do you make me say this? I
love and honor you beyond all women."

She gave a low cry, and stood with her hands clasped together.

"I never thought to say it--you force it from me in self-defence. I
loved you then--I love you now. You have never ceased for one instant to
hold your place in my heart. It is folly, I know, but folly you will not
laugh at. If you wronged me, Norine--and you have--I forgive you freely,
utterly, and I pray Heaven to make you happy in the love of some happier
man."

She stood spell-bound--the shock of surprise was so utter, but over her
face a great joy was breaking.

"And Helen?" she gasped.

"Helen?" he looked at her in wonder.

"Did you not know--can it be possible that--Mr. Gilbert, the world says
Helen is to be your wife!"

His look of amaze and consternation was so great that she laughed
outright--Norine's own sweet, soft laugh.

"Good Heaven!" he said. "What preposterous nonsense! Why, only yesterday
Helen was urging me to speak to you--the very fol