ympathetically.

And she told him, sparing herself details, as far as possible, of the
storm of scandal about to burst upon the family--a storm from which only
the sacrifice of herself could save the family name of Ledoux, and her
mother's memory. It might, or might not, be true, but the Count de
Roannes claimed to be able--and ready--to bring proof. And, if it were
true, she was not a Ledoux at all, and her father was not her father at
all, except in name. No breath of ill-fame had ever reached her mother's
name before. They had thought she had happily escaped the curse of her
mother before her. But the Count claimed to know, and--well, he wanted
her--Opal--and, of course, it _was_ possible, and of course he would do
anything to protect the good name of his wife, if Opal became his wife,
and----

"So, you see, Paul--in the end, I shall have to--submit!"

She had not told it at all well, she thought, but Paul little cared how
the story was told.

"I do not see it that way at all, Opal. It seems to me--well,
diabolical, and may God help you, dear girl, when you, with your
high-keyed sensitive nature, first wake to the infamy of it! I have no
right to interfere--no right at all. Not even my love for you, which is
stronger than myself, gives me that right. For I am betrothed! I tell
you this because I see where my folly has led us. There is only one
thing to do. We must part--and at once. I am sorry"--then he thought of
that first meeting on board the liner, "no, I am _not_ sorry we met! I
shall never be that! But I am going to be a man. I am going to do my
duty. Help me, Opal--help me!"

It was the old appeal of the man to the helpmeet God had created for
him, and the woman in her responded.

"Paul, I will!" and her little fingers closed over his.

"Of course he loves you--in his way, but----"

"Don't, Paul, don't! He has never once pretended that--he has been too
wise."

"He will break your spirit, dear--it's his nature. And then he will
break your heart!"

She raised her head, defiantly.

"Break my spirit, Paul? He could not. And as for my heart--that will
never be his to break!"

Their eyes met with the old understanding that needs no words. Then she
pointed to the heavens.

"See the stars, Paul, smiling down so calmly. How can they when hearts
are aching? When I was a child, I loved the stars. I fancied, too, that
they loved me, and I would run out under their watchful eyes, singing
for very joy, sur