h her.

"Then--then _that_ is not it," she faltered. "I was afraid--I have
sometimes wondered if it was. . . . I am very glad, Captain
Selwyn. . . . Will you wait a--a little longer--for me to--to change?"

He stood up suddenly in the darkness, and she sprang to her feet,
breathless; for she had caught the low exclamation, and the strange
sound that stifled it in his throat.

"Tell me," she stammered, "w-what has happened. D-don't turn away to the
window; don't leave me all alone to endure this--this _something_ I have
known was drawing you away--I don't know where! What is it? Could you
not tell _me_, Captain Selwyn? I--I have been very frank with you; I
have been truthful--and loyal. I gave you, from the moment I knew you,
all of me there was to give. And--and if there is more to give--now--it
was yours when it came to me.

"Do you think I am too young to know what I am saying? Solitude is a
teacher. I--I am still a scholar, perhaps, but I think that you could
teach me what my drill-master, Solitude, could not . . . if it--it is
true you love me."

The mounting sea of passion swept him; he turned on her, unsteadily, his
hands clenched, not daring to touch her. Shame, contrition, horror that
the damage was already done, all were forgotten; only the deadly grim
duty of the moment held him back.

"Dear," he said, "because I am unchanged--because I--I love you so--help
me!--and God help us both."

"Tell me," she said steadily, but it was fear that stilled her voice.
She laid one slim hand on the table, bearing down on the points of her
fingers until the nails whitened, but her head was high and her eyes met
his, straight, unwavering.

"I--I knew it," she said; "I understood there was something. If it is
trouble--and I see it is--bring it to me. If I am the woman you took me
for, give me my part in this. It is the quickest way to my heart,
Captain Selwyn."

But he had grown afraid, horribly afraid. All the cowardice in him was
in the ascendant. But that passed; watching his worn face, she saw it
passing. Fear clutched at her; for the first time in her life she
desired to go to him, hold fast to him, seeking in contact the
reassurance of his strength; but she only stood straighter, a little
paler, already half divining in the clairvoyance of her young soul what
lay still hidden.

"Do you ask a part in this?" he said at last.

"I ask it."

"Why?"

Her eyes wavered, then returned his gaze:

"For love of yo