"Might!" he said, with scorn in his voice. "My little Sage, whom I have known from the day when she gave me first her innocent sisterly love, could not be untrue to the man she has promised to wed. Sage, dear," he continued, holding her hands in his, and gazing in her agitated, tearful face, "look at me--look me fully in the eyes." "Yes, Luke," she said, hesitatingly; and her pretty, troubled face looked so winning that it was all he could do to keep from clasping her in his arms tightly to his own trusting breast. "Now," he said, smiling, "you see me. Can you doubt, dear, that I should ever be untrue to you?" "No, no! oh, no, Luke," she cried. "Neither could I, dearest," he said, softly. "I am a very plain, unimpulsive man, wanting, perhaps, in the soft speech and ways that are said to please women; but I think my heart is right, and that in spite of my quiet ways I love you very, very dearly." "I know, I know you do," sobbed the girl. "Yes, and I trust you, my dear," he said. "I know that you could never give look or word to another that would cause me pain." "No, no, dear Luke, I could not," she sobbed; "but I want you with me. I cannot bear for you to leave me helpless here." "Nonsense, my little pet," he said, tenderly. "The years will soon slip by, and then all will be well. There, we understand each other, do we not?" "Yes, yes, Luke, I think so," she sobbed. "One kiss, then, darling, the last I shall take, perhaps, for years, and then--" "Oh, no, not now--not now," she cried, hastily, as he sought to take her in his arms in the sheltered lane. "Uncle is coming with Mr Cyril Mallow;" and then she moaned passionately to herself, "Him again! Oh, Luke, Luke, I wish that I was dead." PART ONE, CHAPTER NINETEEN. JULIA'S HORROR. Two young men leaning over the park railings on a bright spring morning, when the soot-blackened, well-worn grass that had been suffering from a winter's chronic cold was beginning to put forth its tender green shoots and dress itself for the season. The rather muddy drive was on one side, the Serpentine on the other, and indications that London was coming to town could be seen in the increasing string of carriages. One of the young men was undoubtedly dressed by Poole--well dressed; and he looked worthy of his tailor's care. Frank, manly, handsome, there was a pleasant look in his grey eyes; and if his fair moustache had not been quite so heavy, a well-cut firm mouth would have been better seen. Perhaps that very glossy hat was worn a trifle too much on one side, and with the well set up appearance it suggested military, but the gold horse-shoe pin with diamond nails directly after hinted equine: the result being a compromise, and the looker-on concluded cavalry.