who lived
alone in the world with Sophie Gordeloup for her friend--and whose lover
was betrothed to another woman. She had been there perhaps half an hour,
and had learned to be at home on her perch, sitting there in comfort,
with no desire to move, when a voice which she well knew at the first
sound startled her, and she rose quickly to her feet. "Lady Ongar," said
the voice, "are you not rather near the edge?" As she turned round there
was Count Pateroff with his hand already upon her dress, so that no
danger might be produced by the suddenness of his speech.

"There is nothing to fear," she said, stepping back from her seat. As
she did so, he dropped his hand from her dress, and, raising it to his
head, lifted his hat from his forehead. "You will excuse me, I hope,
Lady Ongar," he said, "for having taken this mode of speaking to you."

"I certainly shall not excuse you; nor, further than I can help it,
shall I listen to you."

"There are a few words which I must say."

"Count Pateroff, I beg that you will leave me. This is treacherous and
unmanly--and can do you no good. By what right do you follow me here?"

"I follow you for your own good, Lady Ongar; I do it that you may hear
me say a few words that are necessary for you to hear."

"I will hear no words from you--that is, none willingly. By this time
you ought to know me and to understand me." She had begun to walk up the
hill very rapidly, and for a moment or two he had thought that she would
escape him; but her breath had soon failed her, and she found herself
compelled to stand while he regained his place beside her. This he had
not done without an effort, and for some minutes they were both silent.
"it is very beautiful," at last he said, pointing away over the sea.

"Yes; it is very beautiful," she answered. "Why did you disturb me when
I was so happy?" But the count was still recovering his breath and made
no answer to this question. When, however, she attempted to move on
again, still breasting the hill, he put his hand upon her arm very
gently.

"Lady Ongar," he said, "you must listen to me for a moment. Why not do
it without a quarrel?"

"If you mean that I cannot escape from you, it is true enough."

"Why should you want to escape? Did I ever hurt you? Before this have I
not protected you from injury?"

"No--never. You protect me!"

"Yes--I; from your husband, from yourself, and from the world. You do
not know--not yet, all that I have don