or her to
decide. If she wishes it I must keep my word."

"But Muriel? What of her? You know she cares for you. Has she no right
to be considered?" demanded her friend impatiently. "Are you going to
ruin her life as well as yours? This woman will only drag you down. She
can't really be fond of you or she wouldn't forget you as she's been
doing. You don't love her. Don't you see what it will all mean to
you?--to be pilloried in the Divorce Court, made to pay enormous costs,
perhaps heavy damages as well. And even now you say you're in debt. And
then to be chained for life to a woman you don't care about while you're
in love with another. Oh, Mr. Wargrave, do be sensible. Tell her the
truth. Tell her you can't go on with it."

"I've given her my word," he said simply.

She pleaded with him passionately, but to no avail. At last, as Muriel
entered the room, she rose, saying:

"Tell her. I'll not mention the subject again."

And she walked indignantly into her bedroom and shut the door almost
with a bang; for the little woman was furious with him for what she
deemed his crass stupidity.

"What's the matter with Noreen?" asked the girl in surprise.

Without a word he gave her the telegram.

"Oh Frank!" she gasped, and sank overwhelmed into a chair, letting the
fatal paper flutter to the floor.

He did not go to her but stood by the window, the image of despair,
gazing out with unseeing eyes.

"What am I to do?" he asked miserably.

"You must keep your word if she wishes it," answered the girl bravely.

But the next moment she broke down and, burying her face in her hands,
wept bitterly. He made no move to her; and she rose and went quietly
back to her own room.

In the interval that elapsed before Violet's arrival Mrs. Dermot did not
abandon hope, and in spite of her words she attacked Wargrave
persistently, trying to shake his resolution. But to her despair Muriel
sided with him and declared that he was right. So finally Noreen gave it
up and vowed that she would wash her hands of the whole affair.

When Violet reached Darjeeling Wargrave met her at the railway station.
Face to face with him her anger died and something of the attraction he
had had for her revived. So she greeted him effusively and all but
embraced him on the platform. Other men seeing the meeting wondered why
he looked so miserable when such a lovely woman evinced her delight at
seeing him so plainly. She passed her arm through his with an