nst me was a terrible one--a--a
disgraceful one?" she asked in a strained voice after a brief and
painful pause.

"Why, dearest!" he cried, "what is the matter? You are really not
yourself to-day. You seem to be filled with a graver apprehension even
than I am. What does it mean? Tell me."

"It means, Walter, that that man is Lady Heyburn's friend; hence he is
my enemy."

"And what need you fear when you have me as your friend?"

"I do not fear if you will still remain my friend--always--in face of
any allegation he makes."

"I love you, darling. Surely that's sufficient guarantee of my
friendship?"

"Yes," she responded, raising her white, troubled face to his while he
bent and kissed her again on the lips. "I know that I am yours, my own
well-beloved; and, as yours, I will not fear."

"That's right!" he exclaimed, endeavouring to smile. "Cheer up. I don't
like to see you on this last day down-hearted and apprehensive like
this."

"I am not so without cause."

"Then, what is the cause?" he demanded. "Surely you can repose
confidence in me?"

Again she was silent. Above them the wind stirred the leaves, and
through the high bracken a rabbit scuttled at their feet. They were
alone, and she stood again locked in her lover's fond embrace.

"You have told me yourself that man Flockart is my enemy," she said in a
low voice.

"But what action of his can you fear? Surely you should be forearmed
against any evil he may be plotting. Tell me the truth, and I will go
myself to your father and denounce the fellow before his face!"

"Ah, no!" she cried, full of quick apprehension. "Never think of doing
that, Walter!"

"Why? Am I not your friend?"

"Such a course would only bring his wrath down upon my head. He would
retaliate quickly, and I alone would suffer."

"But, my dear Gabrielle," he exclaimed, "you really speak in enigmas.
Whatever can you fear from a man who is known to be a blackguard--whom I
could now, at this very moment, expose in such a manner that he would
never dare to set foot in Perthshire again?"

"Such a course would be most injudicious, I assure you. His ruin would
mean--it would mean--my--own!"

"I don't follow you."

"Ah, because you do not know my secret--you----"

"Your secret!" the young man gasped, staring at her, yet still holding
her trembling form in his strong arms. "Why, what do you mean? What
secret?"

"I--I cannot tell you!" she exclaimed in a hard, mechanical voice,
l