r eyes. "Because
there was another man; but I've only just discovered he's a sham, with
no real love for me. It makes me sorry I ever knew him."

"Me--no real love for you! That's not the truth: it's because I have no
real name to give you--that's why I've spoken as I have. Never have I
cared for anyone except you, Junia, and I could have killed anyone that
wronged you--"

"Kill yourself then," she flashed.

"Have I wronged you, Junia?"

"If you kept me waiting and prevented me from marrying a man I could
have loved, if I hated you--if you did that, and then at last told me
to go my ways, don't you think it wronging me! Don't be a fool, Carnac.
You're not the only man on earth a good girl could love. I tell you,
again and again I have been moved towards Luke Tarboe, and if he had had
understanding of women, I should now be his wife."

"You tell me what I have always known," he interposed. "I knew Tarboe
had a hold on your heart. I'm not so vain as to think I've always been
the one man for you. I lived long in anxious fear, and--"

"And now you shut the door in my face! Looked at from any standpoint,
it's ugly."

"I want you to have your due," he answered with face paler. "You're a
great woman--the very greatest, and should have a husband born in honest
wedlock."

"I'm the best judge of what I want," she declared almost sharply, yet
there was a smile at her lips. "Why, I suppose if John Grier had left
you his fortune, you'd give it up; you'd say, 'I have no right to it,'
and would give it to my brother-in-law, Fabian."

"I should."

"Yet Fabian had all he deserved from his father. He has all he should
have, and he tried to beat his father in business. Carnac, don't be a
bigger fool than there's any need to be. What is better than that John
Grier's business should be in Tarboe's hands--or in yours? Remember,
John Grier might have left it all to your mother, and, if he had, you'd
have taken it, if she had left it to you. You'd have taken it even if
you meant to give it away afterwards. There are hospitals to build.
There are good and costly things to do for the State."

Suddenly she saw in his eyes a curious soft understanding, and she
put her hand on his shoulder. "Carnac," she said gently, "great, great
Carnac, won't you love me?"

For an instant he felt he must still put her from him, then he clasped
her to his breast.

"But I really had to throw myself into your arms!" she said later.

CHAPTER