g advantage of my innocence and ignorance,
intended to hoodwink me with a mock-marriage.

"That was the story that was on every lip; it had gone round the town
like fire; and it says much for the town that what between that and the
foul business of the duel, my Lord Rotherby was receiving on every hand
the condemnation he deserves, while for me there was once more--and with
heavy interest for the lapse from it--the respect which my indiscretion
had forfeited, and which would have continued to be denied me but for
your noble championing of my cause.

"That, sir, is the extent to which. I am in your debt. Do you think
it small? It is so great that I have no words in which to attempt to
express my thanks."

Mr. Caryll looked at her a moment with eyes that were very bright. Then
he broke into a soft laugh that had a note of slyness.

"In my time," said he, "I have seen many attempts to change an
inconvenient topic. Some have been artful; others artless; others
utterly clumsy. But this, I think, is the clumsiest of them all.
Mistress Winthrop, 'tis not worthy in you."

She looked puzzled, intrigued by his mood.

"Mistress Winthrop," he resumed, with an entire change of voice. "To
speak of this trifle is but a subterfuge of yours to prevent me from
expressing my deep gratitude for your care of me."

"Indeed, no--" she began.

"Indeed, yes," said he. "How can this compare with what you have done
for me? For I have learnt how greatly it is to you, yourself, that I owe
my recovery--the saving of my life."

"Ah, but that is not true. It--"

"Let me think so, whether it be true or not," he implored her, eyes
between tenderness and whimsicality intent upon her face. "Let me
believe it, for the belief has brought me happiness--the greatest
happiness, I think, that I have ever known. I can know but one greater,
and that--"

He broke off suddenly, and she observed that the hand he had stretched
out trembled a moment ere it was abruptly lowered again. It was as a man
who had reached forth to grasp something that he craves, and checked his
desire upon a sudden thought.

She felt oddly stirred, despite herself, and oddly constrained. It may
have been to disguise this that she half turned to the table, saying:
"You were about to smoke when I came." And she took up his pipe and
tobacco--jar to offer them.

"Ah, but since you've come, I would not dream," he said.

She looked at him. The complete change of topic permitted i