me courage--don't sap my confidence with doubts and
fears. Let us be brave together, and for one another, and then we shall
win the battle and be at peace."

"It will be so hard for you."

"Not harder than it has been for you these many years. My poor dear my
heart has bled so many times to think how you have suffered! I am proud
to have a share in your suffering now. I am not ashamed to tell you that
I love you, for it is my love that is to make you strong and brave, so
that we may conquer the world together, despise its scorn, and meet its
sneers with smiles! We will not run away from it, like cowards! I come
of a fighting race on my mother's side, the very suggestion of flight
makes my blood boil, Alan! No, we will die fighting, if need be, but we
will not run away."

"Yes, yes, my brave darling, you are right. We will stand or fall
together. It was not for myself that I hesitated."

"I know--I know. So you see, dear, that we must part."

"For a time only."

"You will see Mr. Larmer to-morrow?"

"I will."

They were silent for a while. Her arm was round his neck, and his head
was resting against her wearily. It was Lettice who first roused
herself.

"This must not be," she said, drawing back her arm.

"Alan, let us be friends still--and nothing else. Let us have nothing to
reproach ourselves with by and by."

He sighed as he lifted his head from its resting place.

"I will go to Larmer to-day," he said. "There is nothing to be gained by
waiting. But--have you thought of all that that woman may do to us?
Lettice, I tremble almost for your life."

"I do not think she would attempt that."

"She threatened you?"

"With vitriol. She said that she would blind me so that I could not see
you--scar me so that you would not care to look upon my face. Ought I to
have told you? Alan, do not look so pale! It was a mere foolish threat."

"I am not so sure of that. She is capable of it--or of any other
fiendish act. If she injured you, Lettice----"

"Don't think of that. You say you will go to Mr. Larmer this afternoon."

"Yes. And then I will look out for lodgings. And you--what will you do?
Stay here?"

She shook her head. "I shall go into lodgings too. I have plenty of
work, and you--you will come to see me sometimes."

"As often as you will let me. Oh, Lettice, it is a hard piece of work
that you have given me to do!"

She took his hand in hers and pressed it softly. "I shall be grateful to
you for d