to be obliged to meet gay
pleasure-seekers.

She sighed heavily, but made no other reply to Lord Cameron's
information.

"You feel that it would be rather hard for you to make such a trip, do
you not?" her companion inquired, gently. Then, without waiting for a
reply, he went on: "How would you like, instead, to come with me to the
Isle of Wight and spend a quiet, restful summer, interspersed perhaps,
with a little yachting now and then?"

A great shock went through Violet at this, as she realized that he
wanted her to become his wife immediately and go home with him.

A blur came before her eyes, a great lump seemed to rise in her throat
and almost choke her.

Oh, she thought, if she could only flee away to her own room at home in
Cincinnati and stay by herself, out of the sight or sound of everybody,
what a relief it would be!

She shrank more and more from Belle and Will and the idea of going about
from place to place with them; still, a feeling of guilt and wrong
oppressed her every time she thought of marrying this good, noble man,
and giving him only the ashes of a dead love in return for the wealth of
his affection for her.

Yet, of the two plans, the going to the Isle of Wight, to quiet and
rest, seemed the most attractive, while the yachting proposal was very
alluring, for Violet was intensely fond of the sea.

Vane Cameron was conscious of the shock which had so thrilled her, but
whether it had been caused by pleasure or repugnance he could not tell.
He feared the latter, for his sweet bride-elect had, thus far, been very
unresponsive to his love and devotion.

He sat regarding her very gravely and somewhat sadly, while she seemed
to be considering his proposition.

His thought had been more for her health and comfort than of his own
desire or pleasure, but he would not bias her decision one way or the
other.

Finally Violet lifted her eyes to his face, while a faint flush tinged
her pale cheek.

"I will do whatever you like--whatever you think best," she said,
quietly.

His heart leaped as he remarked the flush, but he returned, earnestly,
tenderly:

"Not what I would like, dear, but what you would prefer. I would not
force you a hair's breadth against your inclination, much as I long to
have you go with me. Would you enjoy the tour through the Alps with your
sister?"

"No, no!" Violet cried, in a strained, unnatural voice, as she felt the
net of circumstances closing hopelessly about h