-I could worship him!" Then came the sudden
lifting of the veil; the straight, confiding, appealing glance, the
opening of the soul, and the rush to her knees as she appealed for him.

It all passed through Mrs. Lancaster's mind as she looked far away over
the slumbering sea, while Keith waited for her answer.

When she glanced up at Keith he was leaning over the rail, looking far
away, his face calm and serious. What was he thinking of? Certainly
not of her.

"No, you are not--not in love with me," she said firmly.

Keith started, and looked down on her with a changed expression.

She raised her hand with a gesture of protest, rose and stood beside
him, facing him frankly.

"You are in love, but not with me."

Keith took her hand. She did not take it from him; indeed, she caught
his hand with a firm clasp.

"Oh, no; you are not," she smiled. "I have had men in love with me--"

"You have had one, I know--" he began.

"Yes, once, a long time ago--and I know the difference. I told you once
that I was not what you thought me."

"And I told you--" began Keith; but she did not pause.

"I am still less so now. I am not in the least what you think me--or you
are not what I think you."

"You are just what I think you," began Keith. "You are the most charming
woman in the world--you are my--" He hesitated as she looked straight
into his eyes and shook her head.

"What? No, I am not. I am a worldly, world-worn woman. Oh, yes, I am,"
as dissent spoke in his face. "I know the world and am a part of it and
depend upon it. Yes, I am. I am not so far gone that I cannot recognize
and admire what is better, higher, and nobler than the world of which I
speak; but I am bound to the wheel--Is not that the illustration you
wrote me once? I thought then it was absurd. I know now how true it is."

"I do not think you are," declared Keith. "If you were, I would claim
the right to release you--to save you for--yourself and--"

She shook her head.

"No, no. I have become accustomed to my Sybarite's couch of which you
used to tell me. Would you be willing to give up all you have striven
for and won--your life--the honors you have won and hope to win?"

"They are nothing--those I have won! Those I hope to win, I would win
for us both. You should help me. They would be for you, Alice." His eyes
were deep in hers.

She fetched a long sigh.

"No, no; once, perhaps, I might have--but now it is too late. I chose my
path and mus