horrible, Nan, just
getting a few words over the 'phone twice a day to say how you were. I
had to see for myself."

His eyes sought her throat where the lash of the hunting-crop had
wealed it. The mark had almost disappeared. With a sudden, passionate
movement he caught her in his arms and pressed his lips against the
faint scar.

"Nan!" he said hoarsely. "Nan, say 'yes'! Say it quickly!"

She drew away from him, freeing herself from the clasp of his arms.

"I'm not sure it is 'yes.' You must hear what I have to say first.
You wouldn't listen the other day. But to-day, Roger, you must--you
_must_."

"You're not going to take back your promise?" he demanded jealously.

"It wasn't quite a promise, was it?" she said gently. "But it's for
you to decide--when you know everything."

"Then I'll decide now," he answered quickly. "I want you--Nan, how I
want you! I don't care anything at all about the past--I don't want to
know anything--"

"But you must know"--steadily. "Perhaps when you know--you won't want
me."

"I shall always want you."

Followed a pause. Then Nan, with an effort, said quietly:

"Do you want to marry a woman who has no love to give you?"

He drew a step nearer.

"I'll teach you how to love," he said unevenly. "I'll make you love
me--love me as I love you."

"No, no," she answered. "You can't do that, Roger. You can't."

His face whitened. Then, with his piercing eyes bent on her as though
to read her inmost thoughts, he asked:

"What do you mean? Is there--anyone else?"

"Yes." The answer came very low.

"And you care for him?"

She nodded.

"But we can never be anything to each other," she said, still in that
same low, emotionless voice.

"Then--then--you'd grow to care--"

"No. I shall never care for anyone else again. That love has burnt up
everything--like a fire." She paused. "You don't want to marry--an
empty grate, do you?" she asked, with a sudden desperate little laugh.

Roger's arm drew her closer.

"Yes, I do. And I'll light another fire there and by its warmth we'll
make our home together. I won't ask much, Nan dear--only to be allowed
to love you and make you happy. And in time--in time, I'll teach you
to love me in return and to forget the past. Only say yes, sweetheart!
I'll keep you so safe--so safe!"

What magic is it teaches men how to answer the women they love--endows
them with a quickness of perception denied them till the flam