"Youth against age," mused Lord Henry, as he stood gazing after the young officers. "Why am I so weak as to cling to this silly sentiment? At my time of life I should be a wiser man. I visit, I talk, I bring her presents, I pour before her all that is rich in an old man's love, and she is kind and gentle, but unmoved. Then comes youth, and his presence even at a distance works a change in her such as I have never seen when I have tried my best to win her regard. Ah well! I should respect her the more for her honesty. Our hearts are not our own, and, poor child! she loves him still." He started from his reverie to see that Marie was standing beside him, gazing along the broad path at whose end the officers had disappeared. "Marie," he said softly; and he took her hand, but she did not move, and the hand was very cold. "Marie," he said again; and she started back into the present. "Lord Henry!" she faltered. "We are alone here, my child, and I can speak to you plainly. You know how long and well I have loved you. Let me tell you now that the old man's love is stronger and truer than ever, but it is blended with something better, and is richer than it was before. Marie, my child, I would give all I possess--yes, even the last few years of my life--to see you happy. Shall I try to make your life a happy one?" She looked at him calmly, and laid her other hand upon his as he clasped her right. "Yes, Lord Henry," she said, "if you will." "I will, my child," he said earnestly. "God giving me strength, I will do all I can to make you happy." "Thank you," she said. "The scene on that dreadful night, my child, has lever been cleared up. You have never fairly heard ill. You love Captain Glen still, and he may have a very good defence for what we unfortunately saw. Shall I fetch him back to you now? I will be as our father, as his judge; and if I say he can give a satisfactory explanation, you shall forgive him." Marie had misunderstood him at first, but now his words were clear, and she started from him in passionate anger. "See him--speak to him--listen to his perjuries gain--never!" she cried. "Take me home. No words of his could ever undo the past." "Be calm, my child," he whispered, "and listen, his young heart beats for him still. Let me fetch him. There may be grounds for forgiveness even now." "Lord Henry!" "Appearances are deceitful," he said, interrupting her. "Let me try to make you happy. Believe me, I have your welfare so at heart that I would sacrifice myself for your sake." She grew calmer as she listened to his words, and when he had ended, laid her hand again in his.