er so little--so very little--of his soul.

Did he really love her, she wondered? Or had he merely determined to win
her because it had been so hard a task? He was a man who revelled in
overcoming difficulties, in asserting his grim mastery in the face of
heavy odds. He was never deterred by circumstances, never turned back
from any purpose upon the accomplishment of which he had set his mind.
His subordinates were afraid to tell him of failure. She had heard it
said that Bloodhound Hill could be a savage animal when roused.

There came a low sound at her door, the soft turning of the handle,
Jack's voice whispered through the gloom.

"Are you asleep, little 'un?"

She started up on the bed. "Oh, Jack, come in, dear! Come in!"

He came to her, put his arms about her, and held her close. "Fletcher's
been telling me," he whispered into her ear. "Adela's gone to bed. It's
quite all right, little 'un, is it? You're not--sorry?"

She caught the anxiety in the words as she clung to him. "I--don't think
so," she whispered back. "Only I--I'm rather frightened, Jack."

"There's no need, darling," said Jack, and kissed her very tenderly.
"He's a good fellow--the best of fellows. He's sworn to me to make you
happy."

She was trembling a little in his hold. "He--doesn't want to marry me
yet, does he?" she asked, nervously.

He put a very gentle hand upon her head. "Don't funk the last fence, old
girl!" he said, softly. "You'll like being married."

"Ah!" She was breathing quickly. "I am not so sure. And there's no
getting back, is there, Jack? Oh, please, do ask him to wait a little
while! I'm sure he will. He is very kind."

"He has waited five years already," Jack pointed out. "Don't you think
that's almost long enough, dear?"

She put a hand to her throat, feeling as if there were some constriction
there. "He has been speaking to you about it! He wants you to--to
persuade me--to--to make me--"

"No, dear, no!" Jack spoke very gravely. "He wants you to please
yourself. It is I who think that a long delay would be a mistake. Can't
you be brave, Dot? Take what the gods send--and be thankful?"

She tried to laugh. "I'm an awful idiot, Jack. Yes, I will--I will be
brave. After all, it isn't as if--as if I were really sacrificing
anything, is it? And you're sure he's a good man, aren't you? You are
sure he will never let me down?"

"I am quite sure," Jack said, firmly. "He is a fine man, Dot, and he will
always set y