rs as you have been speaking of. There is only
one way to really protect you, and that is to get that special license
to-morrow."

"But you mustn't talk about it, think about it even," she protested.
"It's impossible."

"No, I think not!" he answered. "Come, I am going to make you drink a
glass of my wine. You are looking positively woebegone. That's right,
drink it down," he added, as she sipped it timidly. "Now tell me what
you are going to do for the rest of the evening."

"I am going," she said, "to try and save the life of the man who has the
paper which was stolen from me. Incidentally I may be able to get it
back again."

"Can I come too?" he asked.

"Certainly not!" she answered. "It isn't an affair for you to be mixed
up in, and besides it would spoil my chance."

"You are not encouraging," he said. "Seriously, Virginia, do let me
come."

"No!" she answered, glancing at the clock, "and I must be going in a
very few minutes."

"You haven't told me yet when you will marry me," he reminded her.

She looked at him piteously.

"Please don't be foolish," she said, "I cannot marry you; I can never
marry you. I told you that before. You must please put it out of your
head. I am going now, and it must be"--her voice trembled a
little--"good-bye!"

"It will be nothing of the sort," he answered. "Do you care for me a
little, Virginia?"

"I--perhaps I do," she faltered.

"I thought you did," he whispered, smiling. "I hoped so, anyhow. That
settles it, Virginia. You haven't a chance of getting away from me,
dear. You may just as well make up your mind to be Mrs. Mildmay as soon
as I can get that license."

"You are the most impossible person!" she declared in despair. "How can
I make you believe me?"

"Nohow," he answered. "Let me come with you, please, this evening."

"I will not," she answered firmly. "Do believe me, please, that it is
impossible."

"Very well, then," he answered, "you shall have your own way, but on
one condition, and that is that you tell me where I can find you
to-morrow. I shall probably have the license then."

Virginia looked around the room as though seeking for some means of
escape, and yet she knew that every word he uttered was a delight to
her; that a new joy, against which she was powerless to fight, was
filling her life. It was absurd, impossible, not to be thought of, and
yet all the time his insistence delighted her. He had so much the air of
one who has always his