and, next thing I heard, he had gone over to
England after Alice Lancaster, who is spending the winter there. It was
time she went, too, for people were beginning to talk a good deal of the
way she ran after Norman Wentworth."

"I must go," said Lois, suddenly rising; "I have to take the children
out."

"Poor dears!" sighed Mrs. Nailor. "I am glad they have some one to look
after them." Lois's sudden change prevented any further condolence.
Fortunately, Mrs. Nailor was too much delighted with the opportunity to
pour her information into quite fresh ears to observe Lois's expression.

* * * * *

The story of the trouble between Mr. and Mrs. Wentworth was soon public
property. Wickersham's plans appeared to him to be working out
satisfactorily. Louise Wentworth must, he felt, care for him to
sacrifice so much for him. In this assumption he let down the barriers
of prudence which he had hitherto kept up, and, one evening when the
opportunity offered, he openly declared himself. To his chagrin and
amazement, she appeared to be shocked and even to resent it.

Yes, she liked him--liked him better than almost any one, she admitted;
but she did not, she could not, love him. She was married.

Wickersham ridiculed the idea.

Married! Well, what difference did that make? Did not many married women
love other men than their husbands? Had not her husband gone
after another?

Her eyes closed suddenly; then her eyelids fluttered.

"Yes; but I am not like that. I have children." She spoke slowly.

"Nonsense," cried Wickersham. "Of course, we love each other and belong
to each other. Send the children to your husband."

Mrs. Wentworth recoiled in horror. There was that in his manner and look
which astounded her. "Abandon her children?" How could she? Her whole
manner changed. "You have misunderstood me."

[Illustration: "Sit down. I want to talk to you."]

Wickersham grew angry.

"Don't be a fool, Louise. You have broken with your husband. Now, don't
go and throw away happiness for a priest's figment. Get a divorce and
marry me, if you want to; but at least accept my love."

But he had overshot the mark. He had opened her eyes. Was this the man
she had taken as her closest friend!--for whom she had quarrelled with
her husband and defied the world!

Wickersham watched her as her doubt worked its way in her mind. He could
see the process in her face. He suddenly seized her and drew her to