without breaking my heart. But I--I was mistaken! I
miss you so dreadfully! There is not another man in the world I can care
for, or even dream of caring for."

"Hush!" he said sternly.

There was always something impressive about Drake, a touch of the
manliness which is somewhat rare nowadays, the manliness which women are
so quick to acknowledge and bow to; and Lady Luce shrank a little; but
her hand tightened on his arm, and her brown, velvety eyes dimmed with
genuine tears--for she was more than anxious, and more than half in love
with him--looked up at him penitently, imploringly.

"Drake--you believe me?" she whispered. "Don't--don't punish me too
badly! See, I am at your feet--a woman--Drake"--her voice sank to a
whisper, became almost inaudible, and her head drooped forward until it
nearly rested on his breast. "Drake--forgive--me and----"

Her voice broke suddenly.

He was moved to something like pity. Is there any man alive who can
resist the prayer, the touch of a beautiful woman, especially if she is
the woman he has once loved? If such a man there be, his name is not
Drake Selbie.

"Hush!" he said again, but in a gentler voice. "God knows, I loved you,
Luce----"

She uttered a faint cry. It was no louder than the sough of the night
breeze.

"Drake--Drake! ah, Drake!" she breathed, her face lifted to his, her
other hand touching his breast. "Say it again! It's the sweetest music
I've heard since--since----Say it again, Drake. I won't ask for any
more----"

"Don't!" he said hoarsely. The caress of her hand made him miserable; it
had no power to thrill him now. "I want to tell you, Luce----"

"No--no," she said quickly, eagerly. "Don't scold me to-night. I am so
happy now. It is as if I had come back to life. Say it once more, Drake.
Just 'I forgive you'!"

"I forgive you; but, listen, Luce," he added quickly.

She slid her white arm round his neck, and drew his head down and kissed
him. The next moment, before he could say a word, she drew away from him
quickly.

"Go in--I will come presently," she said. "There is some one--there is a
door."

Confused, almost hating her for the kiss she had stolen--with Nell
flashing on his mind--he turned and entered the house by the door to
which she had pointed.

She stood for a moment, then she went toward Lady Chesney. Her face was
pale, but there was a smile on her lips, a glow of triumph in her brown
eyes, as she paused in the light from the open