Carolyn succeeded in pronouncing the words "that woman" in an entirely neutral tone. Having done so, she immediately fell to despising herself for having said them at all. They seemed to her far beneath her own ideal of what she ought to be. In the sudden stress of her penitence and pain she leaned forward and made a gesture for her companion to stop in his walk. "Lord Maxwell," she said, tremulously, "I don't mean to bear malice, or to judge. How am I to know the strength of temptation which besets somebody else? I am always praying to be forgiven. The seeing that you suffer--yes, it must be that--makes me talk to you in this way, though I don't know you much,--though--" Her voice trembled into silence. Her eyes, dim with tears, were lowered. Lord Maxwell seized her hand; he held it fast in both his own for an instant. "By Jove!" he exclaimed, "you're a good woman! I wish I'd known a woman like you years ago. I did have a sister, but she died; somehow a fellow can't get on if he doesn't have a good sister, or know some woman like you." He paused and dropped her hand. Two tears fell from his eyes to his cheeks. He took out his handkerchief and openly wiped them away. "I'm a regular donkey, don't you know?" he said; "but you can't tell what it is to me to see a woman like you. I knew there must be such women somewhere; and I've had such a load of things on my mind lately. And I've been wishing I'd tried more to make my wife have a better time; but I couldn't get Prudence out of my mind no way. Fact is, she bewitched me. And I counted on finding her now, and--and--well, you see, hearing she's married was a regular knock-down blow,--took the stiffening right out of me. So I've been and behaved like a baby,--and I an Englishman!" Here the speaker smiled in a doleful manner. Then he turned towards the door. "I believe I'll go now; might as well. Good-by, Miss Ffolliott." He turned back again, shook hands, and then walked out of the room. Carolyn remained in her chair by the fire. She leaned her head back and closed her eyes. Her features gradually became as calm as if they did not belong to a being who could be happy, and who could also suffer. CHAPTER XII. "DON'T BE CRUEL TO ME." "Did you bring my wrap,--the gray velvet?" The man addressed slightly raised his arm to draw attention to the fact that he was carrying a garment. "Oh, thanks. Is there anywhere to go this morning?" "I thought we were to sit somewhere in the old fort. You signified a wish to that effect." "Did I? If I've signified a wish, do let's carry it into effect. We will sit on the water-battery, then; though I've noticed that only lovers sit there." The man made no reply. The two walked across the Plaza, mounted the sea-wall, and were presently established on the battery, apparently absorbed in gazing across the Matanzas River out towards the open sea. "Shall we play we are lovers?" asked Prudence, after awhile, turning to her husband with a smile.