don't say anything more about it."

"But, Aileen, I will wait--I can wait; I've waited so long already. I
believe I began to love you through that knothole, you remember?"

"I haven't forgotten;" she half smiled at the remembrance; "but that
seems so long ago, and things have changed so--I've changed, Luigi."

The tone of her voice was hard. Luigi looked at her in surprise.

"What has changed you, Aileen? Tell me--can't you trust me?"

"Luigi!"--she faced him suddenly, looking straight up into his handsome
face that turned white as he became aware that what she was about to say
was final--"I'd give anything if I could say to you what you want me
to--you deserve all my love, if I could only give it to you, for you are
faithful and true, and mean what you say--it would be the best thing for
me, I know; but I can't, Luigi; I've nothing to give, and it would be
living a lie to you from morning till night to give you less than you
deserve. I only blame myself that I'm not enough like other girls to
know a good man when I see him, and take his love with a thankful heart
that it's mine--but it's no use--don't blame me for being myself--" Her
lips trembled; she bit the lower one white in her effort to steady it.

For a moment Luigi made no reply. Suddenly he leaned towards her--she
drew away from him quickly--and said between his teeth, all the
long-smouldering fire of southern passion, passion that is founded on
jealousy, glowing in his eyes:

"Tell me, Aileen Armagh, is there another man you love?--tell me--"

Rag who had been with her all the afternoon moved with a quick
threatening motion to her side and a warning _gurr--rrrr_ for the one
who should dare to touch her.

"No." She spoke defiantly. Luigi straightened himself. Rag sprang upon
her fawning and caressing; she shoved him aside roughly, for the dog was
at that moment but the scapegoat for his master; Rag cowered at her
feet.

"Ah--" It was a long-drawn breath of relief. Luigi Poggi's eyes
softened; the fire in them ceased to leap and blaze; something like hope
brightened them.

"I could bear anything but that--I was afraid--" He hesitated.

"Afraid of what?" She caught up his words sharply, and began to walk
rapidly up the driveway.

He answered slowly: "I was afraid you were in love with Mr. Googe--I saw
you once out rowing with him--early one morning--"

"I in love with Mr. Googe!" she echoed scornfully, "you needn't ever be
afraid of that; I--I ha