"She sent you to tell me this?" asked Gerald hoarsely. "No. She knew I was coming. I am putting her thoughts in my own words." "I don't expect you to understand what my love for your sister means; you could not," said Gerald. "But you know she has vowed to be my wife." "Yes; and will keep her promise if you insist upon it." The emphasis Herbert laid on insist made Gerald's heart sick. He said nothing; but, with a strange smile on his white face, he went to a table and wrote a few words. He handed the paper to his visitor. "Read," he said; "you say you are her messenger; now you can be mine." The words were: "Eugenia: If this is unanswered I shall believe you wish to recall everything that has passed between us." "Thank you," said Herbert. "This is all I could expect." With trembling hands the sculptor placed the paper in an envelope, and once more tendered it to Herbert. "No, thank you," said Herbert. "People have been tempted to suppress letters before now. Post it in the ordinary way." Gerald left the room. He returned in a few moments, and Herbert knew that the letter had been posted. He had nothing further to do with Gerald, so held out his hand affably. "No," said Gerald, "I would rather not." His eyes were gleaming strangely. "As you will," said Herbert with indifference. "I will change my mind," said Gerald in a low voice, and taking the other's hand; "condemned people always shake hands with the hangman, I think." He spoke with a ghastly attempt at mirth. Herbert left the studio without another word, but, as he drove to Mrs. Cathcart's, said to himself, "The sooner that beggar shoots or hangs himself the better." He went straight to his sister. He placed his hand on her shoulder, and, with a look she had never yet seen on his face, said in a cold, contemptuous manner: "Eugenia, I have been taking some trouble on your behalf. To-day two things are going to happen which will settle your future. Norgate will be here presently and ask you to be his wife. By the next post you will get a letter from that stone-cutter. Before you answer it, shut yourself up and think until you are in a proper frame of mind. Women are fools, but surely you can't be the biggest among them." "You have seen him?" asked Eugenia faintly. "Yes. An extremely nice young man--in his place." "Was he well?" "Very well, and very comfortable. My dear girl, he quite won my respect--a thoroughly practical young man, with lots of common-sense. Now good-bye. Don't make any mistake." Did she hear aright? Her brother found Gerald a thoroughly practical young man! The lie was so gigantic that it seemed impossible it could be all a lie. She was revolving it in her mind even when Sir Ralph Norgate was announced.