to each other. Yes, you are cruel, cruel and wicked! But--but
perhaps it has not been all your fault--and--I'm sorry if--if I have
spoken too harshly."

He scarcely seemed to have heard her concluding words, but repeated to
himself: "She cares for him. She cares for Wolfer--her husband!"

"Yes, yes!" said Nell eagerly, anxiously. "I know it; I have seen her
when she was most unhappy. I have heard the truth in her voice--I
remember little things--the way she has behaved to him, spoken to him,
when she was off her guard. Yes, it is true she cares for him as much as
he cares for her; but they have hidden it from each other--and you--you
have made it harder for them to show their love! But you know the truth
now, and--and you will go, will you not?"

In her anxiety she laid her hand on his arm imploringly, and looked up
at him with eyes moist with tears.

He looked at her, his brows knit, his lips set closely.

"By Heaven, if I thought you were right!" broke from him; then his tone
changed, and his eyes grew hard with resentment. "No; you are wrong,
quite wrong! And it is you who have come between us, and will rob us of
our happiness! I--I--beg your pardon!" he faltered, for this slave of
passion was, after all, a gentleman. "I beg your pardon! If you knew
what I am suffering, what she must be suffering at this moment! Miss
Lorton, you are her friend--you have no reason to bear me any ill
will--I honor you for--for your motives in all this--but I implore you
to stand aside. If you will go and bring her, I will wait here, and you
shall hear from her own lips that you are wrong in supposing that any
affection exists between her and him. I will wait here. Go, I beg of
you! There is no time to lose!"

"I will not!" said Nell, her slight figure erect, her eyes more eloquent
than the tone of her resolution to save her friend.

"Then I will ring and ask her to come," he said, and he went toward the
bell.

Nell sprang in front of it.

"No," she said, in a low voice. "It is I who will ring, and it is the
earl who shall come."

Sir Archie stood, his hand outstretched to push her aside. Men of his
class and character dislike a scene. He was not physically afraid of
Lord Wolfer, but--a scene and a scandal which would leave Lady Wolfer at
Wolfer House, while he was turned out, was a contretemps to be avoided,
if possible.

"You must be mad!" he said, between his teeth. "Worse; you are laboring
under a hideous mistake. She