Claire did not answer for a moment. There was still a trouble in her face, as though something yet remained to be said and she had not the courage to utter it. "Jasper, there is something besides, which you have to pardon if you can." "My love!" "Do you remember what I asked you that night, when you first told me about _him_?" "You asked me a foolish question, if I remember rightly. You asked if I could ever cease to love you." "No, not foolish; I really meant it seriously, and I believed you when you answered me. Are you of the same mind now? Believe me, I am not asking lightly." "I answer you as I answered you then: 'Love is strong as death.' My love, put away these thoughts and be sure that I love you as my own soul." "But perhaps, even so, you might be so angry that--Oh, Jasper, how can I tell you?" "Tell me all, Claire." "I told you I was called, or that they called me Claire. Were you not surprised when you saw my name as Clarissa Lambert?" "Is that all?" I cried. "Why, of course, I knew how common it is for actresses to take another name. I was even glad of it; for the name I know, your own name, is now a secret, and all the sweeter so. All the world admires Clarissa Lambert, but I alone love Claire Luttrell, and know that Claire Luttrell loves me." "But that is not all," she expostulated, whilst the trouble in her eyes grew deeper. "Oh, why will you make it so hard for me to explain? I never thought, when I told you so carelessly on that night when we met for the first time, that you would grow to care for me at all. And it was the same afterwards, when I introduced you to my mother; I gave you the name Luttrell, without ever dreaming--" "Was Luttrell not your mother's name?" I asked, perplexed. "That is the name by which she is always called now; and I am always called Claire; in fact, it is my name, but I have another, and I ought to have told you." "Why, as Claire I know you, and as Claire I shall always love you. What does it matter if your real name be Lambert? You will change it, love, soon, I trust." But my poor little jest woke no mirth in her eyes. "No, it is not Lambert. That is only the name I took when I went on the stage. Nor am I called Luttrell. It is a sad story; but let me tell it now, and put an end to all deception. I meant to do so long ago; but lately I thought I would wait until after you had seen me on the stage; I thought I would explain all together, not knowing that _he_--but it has all gone wrong. Jasper, I know you will pity poor mother, even though she had allowed you to be deceived. She has been so unhappy. But let me tell it first, and then you will judge. She calls herself Luttrell to avoid persecution; to avoid a man who is--" "A villain, I am sure."