he said at length. "Do you think
that's going to help you?"

She choked back a sob. "I don't know. I have no judgment. I don't trust
myself."

"You believe in sincerity?" he said. "In being true to yourself?" Then,
as she winced, "No, I don't want to go over old ground. We are talking
of present things. I'm not going to pester you, not going to ask you to
marry me even--" again she was aware of his smile though his speech
sounded grim--"until you have honestly answered the question that you
are trying to shirk. Perhaps you won't thank me for reminding you a
second time of a conversation that you and I once had on this very spot,
but I must. I told you that I had been waiting for my turn. And you told
me that I had come--too late."

He paused, but she did not speak. She was trembling from head to foot.

He leaned towards her. "Stella, I'm not such a fool as to make the same
mistake twice over. I'm not going to miss my turn a second time. I loved
you then--though I had never flattered myself that I had a chance. And
my love isn't the kind that burns and goes out." His voice suddenly
quivered. "I don't know whether you have any use for it. You have been
too discreet and cautious to betray yourself. Your heart has been a
closed book to me. But to-night--I am going to open that book. I have
the right, and you can't deny it to me. If you were queen of the whole
earth I should still have the right, because I love you, to ask you--as
I ask you now--have you any love for me? There! I have done it. If you
can tell me honestly that I am nothing to you, that is the end. But if
not--if not--" again she heard a deep vibration in his voice--"then
don't be afraid--in the name of Heaven! Marriage with me would not mean
slavery."

He stopped abruptly and turned from her. From the room behind them there
came a cheery hail. Tommy came tramping through.

"Hullo, old chap! You, is it? Has Stella been attending to your comfort?
Have you had a drink?"

Monck's answer had a sardonic note, "Your sister has been kindness
itself--as she always is. No drinks for me, thanks. I am just off in
Ralston's car to Khanmulla." He turned deliberately back again to
Stella. "Will you come with me? Or will you go with Tommy--and the
Ralstons?"

There was neither anxiety nor persuasion in his voice. Tommy frowned
over its utter lack of emotion. He did not think his friend was playing
his cards well.

But to Stella that coolness had a different mean