and explain. Come," he cried, changing his manner, and speaking out in
a frank, manly way, "this is not like you, little woman. If it's to
tease me and keep me at a distance because we are alone here in the dark
it is not needed, Edie, for God knows that if a man ever loved a woman,
I do you."

"What!" she cried; "and act toward Myra as I saw just now?"

"Toward Myra?"

"Yes; I know she's a hundred times nicer than I am, but I did think--I
did think--O Percy, how could you kiss her hand like that?"

He caught her to his breast as she broke down into a fit of sobbing, and
held her there.

"O Edie," he said, "you silly, blind little thing! Why, I never even
thought--oh, but go on--go on," he whispered; "I am so glad--jealous of
me like that! Then you do love me dearly, and you can't deny it now."

Edie made little effort to escape from the close encircling arms which
held her tightly, fluttering like a bird; none to deny Guest's charge.
It was very lonely and dark upon that staircase, and in another moment
she would have been shrinking from her companion's kisses; but, moved by
the same impulse, they sprang apart, for from Stratton's room a wild,
appealing cry broke the silence of the echoing stairs.

CHAPTER THIRTY TWO.

A WOMAN WOOS--IN VAIN.

"No, no, don't come with me," whispered Guest as he sprang toward
Stratton's room, but Edie paid no heed to his words, and was close
behind him as he passed through first one and then the other door,
drawing back, though, the next moment to close them both.

A few minutes before when Myra had performed the same action she had
stood gazing before her at the figure seated at the table; and the
attitude of dejection, the abject misery and despair it conveyed to her
mind, swept away all compunction. Every thought of her visit being
unmaidenly, and opposed to her duty toward herself and those who loved
her, was forgotten. Her hands were involuntarily raised toward him, and
she stood there with her lips apart, her head thrown back, and her eyes
half-closed and swimming with tenderness as her very being seemed to
breathe out the one word--"Come!"

But Stratton might have been dead for all the change that took place by
that dimly lit table. He did not stir; and at last, seeing that he must
be suffering terribly, and, taking the thought closely to her breast
that it was for her sake, she moved forward slowly, almost gliding to
the back of his chair, to stand there l