"And still she holds one. There is a sort of spell about her," she said, in a low voice--"you must recognize that. I, too, have suffered through her, and yet----" Then she bit her lip, flushed crimson, and said passionately, "I could never share! Don't think I am only sensible, and practical, and quiet ... I ... I know myself better, I am capable of horrid feelings, and my temper can be quite savage.... I don't want to fill a gap.... I want all for myself. Why, even when I realize what she was to you, I feel as if I could suffocate...." She was turning away, but he caught her by the shoulder and wheeled her round. "Do you know what that means?" he said, in a curious voice; "that means that you love me. And do you suppose I am going to let you slip out of my life now that I know this? Caroline, you _shall_ not deny me my right! I have stood by all these months I even came here to-day with the intention of saying nothing more to you on this subject, because I said to myself, 'I have no right to force myself upon her; if she cared a toss of a button about me she would not play with me;' but the temptation to speak was too strong, and now that you have confessed that I am indeed so much to you ... you will never get rid of me!" He was holding her so tightly that he almost hurt her. The colour waned in her face, and came back with a rush as she tried to look at him and could not meet his eyes. "When will you marry me?" he asked. She gasped. "Oh, please," she said, "I don't think I said anything to ... to ... but if ... suppose that I should care for you a little, that does not mean that ..." she broke off.... "Really, I cannot marry you," she said then, with a note of desperation in her voice. Haverford laughed. "Why? Give me one good reason, and I will let you go." She had to laugh too, but she would not yield easily. She enumerated many reasons. "The children need me ... it is so soon. I have ever so many things I want to do this year...." Then finally and a little weakly, "I don't want to marry at all." Rupert looked at her intently. "There is not one honest reason in all these, and the last is the weakest of the lot," he said coolly. "I really cannot listen to it. You must think of something else...." "I can hear the children," Caroline said, in a hurry. "Listen! don't you hear them calling for me? I am convinced they will have forgotten their coats, and this wind is so cold." Rupert's eyes glistened. "Let them come.... I will refer the matter to Betty.... She will soon settle everything." Caroline turned crimson, and then she put out her hand. "Perhaps ... I will marry you ... but it must be ever so far off.... Wait ... will you wait?" she asked half wistfully. He stooped, and despite the fact that the children were so very near now, he kissed her hands and then her lips. "You know I will ... all my life, if you insist," he answered. But Caroline did not keep him waiting quite so long. PRINTED BY