. I
mean it only as a tribute to your exquisite goodness, your sweetness,
which would not let me pass upon my way without a word of kindly
greeting--and yet what can I say, for I did not misunderstand that
kindliness. I was not such a fool as to do that! No, I never really
hoped; I never thought that you could for a moment look at me; believe
me when I say that, even in my wildest dreams, I knew myself to be far,
infinitely far, below you, utterly unworthy of your love, Elizabeth."

"No, no," she murmured, "you must not say that."

"But I do say it, and I mean it. I only ask to be forgiven for that wild
dream--it lasted but for a moment, and there was nothing in it that
could have offended even you, I think; nothing but the love itself. And
I believe in a man's right to love the woman who is the best, the most
beautiful, the noblest on earth for him, even if she were the Queen
herself! If you think that I hoped where I ought to have despaired,
forgive me; but don't say you forgive me for merely loving you; I had
the right, to do that."

She altered her attitude as he spoke. Her hands were now before her
face, and he saw that the tears were trickling between her fingers. All
the generosity of the man's nature was stirred at the sight.

"I am very sorry that I have distressed you," he said. "I am sorry that
I spoke so roughly--so hastily--at first. Trust me when I say that I
will not offend in the same way again."

She lifted her face a little, and tried to wipe away her tears. "I am
not offended, Mr. Stretton," she said. "You mistake me--I am only
sorry--deeply sorry--that I--if I--have misled you in any way."

"Oh, you did not mislead me, Miss Murray," replied Brian, gently; "it
was my own folly that was to blame. But since I have spoken, may I say
something more? I should like, if possible, to justify myself a little
in your eyes."

She bowed her head. "Will you not sit down?" she said, softly. "Say what
you like; or, at least, what you think best."

He did not sit down exactly, but he came back to the stone on which he
had been sitting at her feet, and dropped on one knee upon it.

"Let me speak to you in this way, as a culprit should speak," he said,
with a faint smile which had in it a gleam of some slightly ironical
feeling, "and then you can pardon or condemn me as you choose."

"If you feel like a culprit you condemn yourself," said Elizabeth,
lifting her eyes to his.

"I do not feel like a culprit,