erestimate his ability. You may hate him--but he is a man of
genius."

"He is everything you loathe, and yet you are going to marry him. Great
God! don't you understand what a close, intimate, personal thing
marriage is! You are the most fastidious girl I have ever known. The
ceremony with which you keep your beautiful body is a religion. Bivens
is physically everything you despise. His teeth are yellow with
nicotine, and his lips cracked and stained with tobacco. With every
quivering fibre of your delicate and sensitive being you know that you
loathe him. And yet you are going to give your body to be his--without
reserve--you, the delicate, the exquisite beauty--you who worship your
dainty body in a mirror daily. God--have you no real reverence for your
own being?"

"No, Jim," she interrupted at last, with deep pity in her heart for his
suffering, "I don't think I have, and it's better so after all. I'll
never love another, I shall not try."

"Then if you will sell yourself, Nan, dear, let's make a better
bargain--wait! You are giving up too easily. Bivens has only a couple
of millions, and he may lose them. Don't hold yourself so cheap. If you
were on the block for sale I'd give a million for each dimple in your
cheek. That pile of glorious black hair is worth a million--I'd give it
without haggling at the price! Come, let's have more bids! The smile
that plays about your lips should bring millions. The arch of your
proud young neck should add another--and your deep dark eyes, I swear
are worth a million each."

Stuart's voice had grown husky and sank into a sob as she placed her
hand on his arm and gently said:

"Hush, Jim, dear, we must go now. I can't stand any more. I've let you
go on like this and say anything you pleased because I'm heartsick to
see how cruelly I've hurt you--but there's a limit."

"Yes, I know, forgive me."

Without another word he led her from the place, closed the little gate
quietly and returned to her home.

Alone inside the parlour they stood in silence a moment and she took
his hand in hers.

"I'm sorry, but it must be good-bye. Your love has been a sweet and
wonderful thing in my life----"

"And you throw it aside as a worthless rag."

"No," she answered smiling. "It shall be mine always--good-bye."

She raised her lips to his in a cold kiss.

Dazed with anguish, he turned and left. The door closed on his
retreating figure, and Nan sank among the cushions and burst into