eer sensations. Pins and needles,
thousands of them--and something feels tight. But I shall emerge all
the better for it. So far I have only loved you; henceforth I want to
love you and Margaret as well."

"How I have made you suffer!" he murmured brokenly. His hand sought
hers. "My good angel!"

She drew her hand back.

"No--not angel, but only a simple prophet; and as a prophet I tell you
you were born to be happy."

He shook his head, bethinking himself he must go back to his Cleo.

"Now I hope you won't make me miserable again," said Helen, as he rose
to go, "by leaving me in the dark about you. And mind you let me know
at once if you have need of me to-morrow. A special messenger will be
sure to find me, as I shall not be leaving the house till four
o'clock. Keep a stout heart and let the light of hope vanquish the
vapours and fogs. Above all, bear my prophecy in mind."

CHAPTER VIII.

When Morgan got back to their lodgings he had the sensation of
entering the atmosphere of a charnel house. Cleo had not come home
yet, and he had leisure to ponder on Helen's attitude towards him and
her bearing when she had learned all. Of course, he told himself, he
must not take any notice of her wild suggestion that he and Cleo must
part and that their marriage didn't count; nor did he permit himself
to be allured by her optimistic pre-perception of the future. Noble
heart that she was, she had been striving to lessen his pain. He felt
he understood what had prompted her every word. And the readiness with
which she had bowed her head in acceptance of the emotional position
as soon as she knew about Margaret compelled his admiration. Not a
word of rebellion, but only a quick gasp of breath; and then he was
conscious he had won a sturdy ally.

Ally! When there was to be no battle, was not the word an empty one?
Yet no; surely it was a blessed thing to know of a ready and willing
heart, even if its services could not avail one! That which signified
naught in practical light signified much humanly.

He was awake now, could see the exact bearings of things, and he felt
a desperate courage to stand his ground. All his sense of suffering,
of the shipwreck he had made, and of what he might have to face in the
next few days, had become fused into one large poignant emotion. It
was an extra poignancy to be aware that Helen would continue to suffer
because of his determination to face the consequences. But he was
married