"I will not put you to that inconvenience," he retorted hotly; then his manner changed. "Ah, Kathleen, do not let us waste the precious seconds bickering. Tell me what I can do for you." "_You_ ask me that?" Her tone was impossible to translate. "Yes." Miller held her gaze, his handsome eyes speaking a language all their own. "You gave me the right, my darling, to protect you--and I _shall_ protect you." Her strength suddenly deserting her, Kathleen sank down in her chair. "You will protect me," she echoed. "_You?_" Her tone stung him to the quick. "Yes--I," he said slowly. "Do you not realize the depth of my love? I would willingly sacrifice my career, my life for you--and count it no sacrifice." "Would God I could believe you!" The cry was wrung from her, and she raised her trembling hands to brush away the blinding tears. Miller dropped on one knee beside her. "My dearest, my heart's desire!" he whispered passionately, taking her hands prisoner. At his touch she shrank back, remembrance crowding upon her. "Go!" she stammered. "I have kept faith; go, before I say too much." Before Miller could answer he heard his name called, and the sound of rapid footsteps. With a bound he was on his feet, and pausing only long enough to whisper "Courage, Kathleen," he joined Winslow Whitney in the hall. But Kathleen was hardly conscious of his departure. With an exceedingly bitter moan, she dropped her head upon her arms and cried as if her heart would break. Mrs. Whitney, entering from the pantry a second later, paused aghast, then running to Kathleen, soothed her with loving word and hand back to some semblance of composure. Miller found Winslow Whitney walking rapidly up and down the hall. He stopped at sight of the latter. "Come in the library," he said. "I've given instructions that we are not to be interrupted," closing the door and also pulling to the folding doors behind the portieres leading to the dining-room. "Make yourself comfortable, Captain," producing a box of cigars. "Don't mind if I walk up and down; I think better when moving about." "Same here," but Miller selected the most comfortable chair in the room and puffed slowly at his cigar, while never taking his eyes from his host. Neither man spoke for fully five minutes, then Whitney pulled up a chair and sat down near his companion. "Have you seen Senator Foster today?" he inquired. "Not to talk to; but I caught a glimpse of him coming here as I entered." Miller knocked the gathering ash from the end of his cigar. "I was with him at the inquest yesterday." "I saw you both there." Whitney selected a cigar and, lighting it, sat back. "Did Foster happen to tell you that Sinclair Spencer had in his will made him executor of his estate?" "No." "Well, he came here today to tell me that, and also that Kathleen is mentioned in Spencer's will as residuary legatee." "What!" Miller's surprise was shown in his face, which had grown suddenly white.