ell.
I'm not sure. Will you take me for your lover, and in good time your
husband, under such circumstances? Faith, I'm afraid it'll not be for
better, but for worse."

Sempland said nothing. He would not interfere now. Fanny Glen must
answer for herself. He clenched his teeth and strove to control
himself. In spite of his efforts, however, the blood flamed into his
dark face. Fanny Glen grew very white, her blue eyes shone like stars
in the pallor of her face under her fair hair. She hesitated. She
looked from one to the other. She could not speak. She was too
conscious of that stern iron figure. Yet she would have given worlds to
say "yes" to Lacy's plea.

"Choose, Miss Glen," said Lacy, at last. It was hard for him to wait
for anything. "You stand between us, you see. I warn you if you do
not take me, you will take Sempland. Look at him,--" he smiled
satirically,--"he always gets what he wants. He is the very incarnation
of bulldog tenacity and resolution. If I don't get you, he certainly
will."

"How dare you comment upon me?" cried Sempland.

"Patience, my good sir," said the other, coolly. "You commented upon me
in my absence. I comment upon you in your presence. The advantage is
mine. As I said, Miss Glen, it is a choice between us. Do not choose
me, if you should be so fatuously inclined, because I happen to have
had some chances for distinction, for I assure you, on my honor, all
there is left of it, that if Sempland gets half a chance he'll do
better than I. Choose because you love him--or me."

The girl stared from one to the other in indignant bewilderment. Lacy
was an ideal lover. Sempland looked like a stern master, and she hated
a master. She made a half step toward the handsomer and weaker man, and
a half turn toward the homelier and stronger. In her heart of hearts
she found in that moment which she preferred. And, as love is wayward,
in the knowledge came a surprise for her--and it brought shame. Lacy
was handsome and gallant and distinguished, in spite of all, but
Sempland was strong--a man indeed.

"Oh!" she cried, looking at him, "if you only had done something great
or--"

"What!" he cried, his face alight.

But she turned instantly away. In her words Lacy, more subtile and more
used to women, read her preference and his rejection. But he smiled
bravely and kindly at her in spite of his knowledge.

"Major Lacy," she said, giving him her hand, "I esteem you, I honor
you, I respect you.