round, but he was hidden by a bush.
Then she half rose, paused irresolutely, and, as though struggling
against something foolish, sat determinedly down again. When Arthur
had done smiling, he came forward a few steps into the open, feeling
that his face was all drawn and changed, as indeed it was. It was the
face of a man of fifty. His eyes were fire, and his heart was ice.

She turned her head, and looked up with a shrinking in her eyes, as
though she feared to see something hateful--a shrinking which turned
first to wonder, then to dread, then to a lively joy, and then again
to awe. She rose mechanically, with a great gasp; her lips parted, as
though to speak, but no words came. The dog, too, saw him, and
growled, then ran up and sniffed, and leaped upon him with a yelp of
joy. He waved it down, and there was something in the gesture that
frightened the beast. It shrank behind him. Then he spoke in a clear,
hard tone--not his own voice, she thought.

"Angela, is this true? Are you _married?_"

"Oh, no;" and her voice came stealing to his senses like half-
forgotten music; "that is, yes, alas! But is it really you? Oh,
Arthur, my darling, have you come back to me?" and she moved towards
him with outstretched arms.

Already they were closing round him, and he could feel her breath upon
his cheek, when the charm broke, and he wrenched himself free.

"Get back; do not dare to touch me. Do you know what you are? The poor
lost girl is not fallen so low as you. She must get her bread; but, at
any rate, I could have given you bread. What! fresh from your
husband's arms, and ready to throw yourself into mine! Shame upon you!
Were you not married yesterday?"

"Oh, Arthur, have pity! You do not understand. Oh, merciful God----"

"Have pity! What need for pity? Were you not married yesterday?" and
he laughed bitterly. "I come--I come from far to congratulate the new-
made wife. It is a little odd, though, I thought to marry you myself.
See, here was my wedding present;" and he tore the diamond necklace
from his pocket. "A snake, you see; a good emblem! Away with it, its
use is gone!"

The diamonds went flashing through the sunlight, and fell with a
little splash into the lake.

"What! are you not sorry to see so much valuable property wasted? You
have a keen appreciation of property!"

Angela sank down on her knees before him, like a broken lily. Her
looks grew faint and despairing. The stately head bowed itself to hi