“There was no question of a right in the matter. Mr. Calvert was here as our friend, associating with us in close intimacy, enjoying our friendship and out confidence, and if he had reasons of his own for the request, they were enough for us.” “That does not satisfy me, Florence,” said he, gravely. “I am sorry for it I have no other explanation to give you.” “Well; I mean to be more explicit. Has he told you of a correspondence that passed between us?” “Once for all, Joseph, I will not be drawn into this discussion. Rightfully, or the reverse, I have given my word, and I will keep it.” “Do you mean to say that to any mention of this man’s name, or to any incident in which it will occur, you will turn a deaf ear, and not reply?” “I will not speak of him.” “Be it so. But you will listen to me when _I_ speak of him, and you will give my words the same credence you accord to them on other things. This is surely not asking too much?” “It is more, however, than I am willing to grant.” “This becomes serious, Florence, and cannot be dismissed lightly. Our relations towards each other are all but the closest that can bind two destinies. They are such as reject all secrecy--all mystery at all events. Now, if Mr. Calvert’s request were the merest caprice, the veriest whim, it matters not The moment it becomes a matter of peace of mind to me it is no longer a trifle.” “You are making a very serious matter of very little,” said she, partly offended. “The unlimited confidence I have placed, and desire still to place, in you, is not a little matter. I insist upon having a full explanation.” “You insist?” “Yes, I insist Remember, Florence, that what I claim is not more my due for my sake than for your own. No name in the world should stand between yours and mine, least of all that of one whom neither of us can look on with respect or esteem.” “If this be the remains of some old jealousy--” “Jealousy! Jealousy! Why, what do you mean?” “Simply that there was a time when _he_ thought _you_ his rival, and it was just possible you might have reciprocated the sentiment.” “This is intolerable,” cried he. Then hastily checking his angry outburst, he added: “Why should we grow warm, Florence dearest, over a matter which can have but one aspect for us both? It is of you, not of myself I have been thinking all this time. I simply begged you to let me know what sort of relations existed between you and Mr. Calvert that should prevent you speaking of him to me.” “You said something about insisting. Now, insisting is an ugly word. There is an air of menace about it.” “I am not disposed to recall it,” said he, sternly. “So much the better; at least it will save us a world of very unpleasant recrimination, for I refuse to comply.” “You refuse! Now let me understand you, for this is too vital a point for me at least to make any mistake about--what is it that you refuse?”