d clod that I could go through the
world for forty-five years and keep my heart untouched? Of course I
have loved. I do love! It was once and for ever with me--"

"But you are not--"

"Married? No! She died long ago; but even if she had lived she was not
for me. She would have been the wife of another man; a good fellow; I
think she would have been happy. As it is, we remember her together.
She was a bright, sunshiny creature who carried happiness with her
wherever she went... To have known her is the comfort of our lives--not
the grief. We have lived through the deep waters, and can now rejoice
in her gain... Do you know there is something about yourself which has
reminded me of her several times! That is one reason why I like being
with you, and am interested in your life. I should like you to think of
me as a friend, and come to me for help if you were ever in need of
anything that I could give."

The colour rushed into Margot's cheeks, and her heart beat with
suffocating quickness. Here was the opportunity for which she had
longed, offered to her without any preliminary effort or contriving on
her own part! The place, the time, the person were all in readiness,
waiting for her convenience. If through cowardice or wavering she
allowed the moment to pass, she could never again hope for another such
opening. Already the Chieftain was watching her with surprise and
curiosity, the softness of the last few minutes giving place to the
usual alert good-humour.

"Hey? Well! What is it? What's the trouble? Out with it! Anything I
can do?"

"Mr Elgood," said Margot faintly, "you are very good, very kind; I am
most grateful to you. I hope you _will_ help me, but first there is
something I must say... I--I have been deceiving you from the
beginning!"

"What's that?" The Chieftain sat up suddenly and stared at her beneath
frowning brows. "Deceiving me? _You_? I don't believe a word of it!
What is there to deceive me about, pray? You are not masquerading under
a false name, I suppose? Not married, for instance, and passing
yourself off as single for some silly school-girl freak?"

"Oh no! Oh no! Everything that I have told you about myself is true,
absolutely true."

"I knew it. You are not the sort that could act a lie. What's all the
fuss about, then?"

"What I have told you is true, but--but--I have not told you _all_!"

"I should think not, indeed! Who expected that you should? I