"It was your coldness all these years," she murmured. "You were different once. You know that. At first, when the horror of what happened was young, I thought I understood. I thought, as it wore off, that you would be different. The horror has gone now, Lawrence. We know that it was an accident, it might as well have been another as you. But you have not changed. I have given up hoping. I have tried everything else, and I am a very miserable woman. Now I am going to pray to you, Lawrence. You do not care for me more. Pretend that you do! You cannot give me your love. Give me the best you can. Don't despise me too utterly, Lawrence! Pity me, if you will. Heaven knows I need it. And--you will be a little kind!" Her hands were clasped about his neck. He disengaged himself gently. "Blanche!" he cried, hoarsely, "I love another woman!" "Are you engaged to her?" "No! Not now!" "Then what does it matter? What does it matter, anyhow? It is not the real thing I am asking you for, Lawrence--only the make-belief! Keep the rest for her, if you must, but give me lies, false looks, hollow caresses, anything! You see what depths I have fallen to." He held her hands tightly. A great pity for her filled his heart--pity for her, and for himself. "Blanche," he said, "there is one way only. It is for you to decide. Will you marry me? I will do my best to make you a good husband!" "Marry you?" she gasped. "Lawrence, I dare not!" "I cannot alter the past," he said, sadly. "It never seemed to me possible that you could care for my--after what happened. But--" "Oh, it is not that," she interrupted. "There is--the other woman, and, Lawrence, I should be afraid. I am not good enough!" "Whatever you are, Blanche," he said, gravely, "remember that it is I who am responsible for your having been left alone to face the world. Your follies belong to me. I am quite free to share their burden with you." "But the other woman?" she faltered. "I must love her always," he said, quietly, "but I cannot marry her." "And you would kiss me sometimes, Lawrence?" she whispered. He took her quietly into his arms and kissed her forehead. "I will do my best, Blanche," he said. "I dare not promise any more." BOOK III CHAPTER I MATRIMONY AND AN AWKWARD MEETING "How delightfully Continental!" Blanche exclaimed, as the head-waiter showed them to their table. "Hester, did you ever see anything more quaint?" "It is perfect," the girl answered, leaning back in her chair, and looking around with quiet content. Mannering took up the menu and ordered dinner. Then he lit a cigarette and looked around. "It certainly is quaint," he said. "One dines out of doors often enough, especially over here, but I have never seen a courtyard made such excellent use of before. The place is really old, too."