."

"You are engaged to Captain Bertram?"

"Yes."

"You are to be married on the 10th of this month."

"Yes."

"This is the 5th. You are to be married in five days!"

"I am, Miss Hart. Do you want to congratulate me?"

"I--yes--I congratulate you. You--are attached--to Loftus?"

"To Captain Bertram? Do you know him?"

"No matter. You--you love him?"

"Why should I speak of my feelings? To marry a man is a proof of love,
is it not? Do you know my future husband?"

"I--once I knew him."

"He has never spoken to me about you. Did you know him well?"

"No matter. I knew him--no matter how much. He loves you, does he not?"

"I believe he faithfully loves me."

"Yes, I saw you together. There is no doubt. I heard the tone in his
voice. You can't mistake that tone, can you?"

"I don't know. I have not much experience."

"You ought to have, for you are so beautiful. Yes, he loves you. It is
all over."

"What is all over?"

"Nothing. Did I say anything wild of that sort? Don't believe the
nonsense I speak. I am ill, and my brain sometimes wanders. There is a
great fire consuming me, and I am tired of being burned alive. Sometimes
in my pain I talk wildly. Nothing is over, for nothing really began. You
will be good to Captain Bertram, won't you? How you look at me! You have
very true eyes, very true. Now I will tell you the truth. Once I knew
him, and he was kind to me--a _little_ kind--you know the sort of
thing. I thought it meant more. He has forgotten me, of course, and
you'll be good to him, for he--he's not perfect--although he
suited--yes, he suited me very well. How my heart beats! Don't talk to
me for a minute."

She lay back panting on the sofa. Beatrice got up and walked to the
window. There was a long view of the High Street from this window. The
street was straight and narrow, with few curves.

At that moment Beatrice saw Captain Bertram. He was a long way off, but
he was walking down the street in the direction of the Bells' house. In
about three minutes he would pass the house.

As Beatrice stood by the window she thought. A memory came over her. A
memory of a man's steps--they were leaving her--they were hurrying--they
were quickening to a run. In a flash she made up her mind.

She came back to the sofa where Nina sat.

"Can I do anything for you? Tell me quickly, for I earnestly desire to
help you."

"You are good," said Nina. "You have a true voice, as well as a true
face. Yes,