last exile; he explained it in
detail, and dwelt on its promising aspects. Madeline felt compassionate
and remorseful.

Of her own intimate concerns no word was said, but it happened
strangely enough, just as they had finished dinner, that Clifford Marsh
came strolling into the restaurant. He saw them, and with expressions
of surprise explained that he had just turned in for a cup of coffee.
Mr. Denyer invited him to sit down with them, and they had coffee
together. Clifford kept up a flow of characteristic talk, never
directly addressing Madeline, nor encountering her look. He referred
casually to his meeting with Mr. Denyer that afternoon.

"I shall be going back myself very shortly. It is probable that there
will be something of a change in my circumstances; I may decide to give
up a few hours each day to commercial pursuits. It all depends on--on
uncertain things."

"You won't come out with me to Vera Cruz?" said Mr. Denyer, jocosely.

"No; I am a man of the old world. I must live in the atmosphere of art,
or I don't care to live at all."

Madeline's slight suspicion was confirmed. When they were about to
leave the restaurant, Mr. Denyer said that he must go to the
railway-station, to make a few inquiries. There was no use in
Madeline's going such a distance; would Clifford be so good as to see
her safely home? Madeline made a few objections--she would really
prefer to accompany her father; she would not trouble Mr. Marsh--but in
the end she found herself seated by Clifford in a carriage, passing
rapidly through the streets.

Now was Clifford's opportunity; he had prepared for it.

"Madeline--you must let me call you by that name again, even if it is
for the last time--I have heard what has happened."

"Happily it does not affect you, Mr. Marsh."

"Indeed it does. It affects me so far, that it alters the whole course
of my life. In spite of everything that has seemed to come between us,
I have never allowed myself to think of our engagement as at an end.
The parcel you sent me the other day is unopened; if you do not open it
yourself no one ever shall. Whatever _you_ may do, I cannot break
faith. You ought to know me better than to misinterpret a few foolish
and hasty words, and appearances that had a meaning you should have
understood. The time has come now for putting an end to those
misconceptions."

"They no longer concern me. Please to speak of something else."

"You must, at all events, understa