He drops a card in her lap, and as she makes a gesture of repulsion, he says, entreatingly: "Take it; _in the name of your mother_ I ask it." She snatches up the card impulsively, and looks for one moment straight in his eyes. Then drawing a long sighing breath says, simply, "I will," and turns away as she puts it in her pocket, never so much as glancing at it. "Thank you." He lifts his hat, and resumes his seat and his former attitude just as Lucian reappears. Now all was bustle and confusion, the journey's end was reached; and through the hurrying, jostling crowd, past flickering lamps, and sleepy guards, they went under the dusky arches of the mammoth city station, out among the bawling 'bus drivers and brawling hackmen, past them, until a carriage, that seemed to be in waiting for them just beyond the noisy crowd, was reached. Stepping into this, they were about to drive away when, in the shadow, and very near them, Madeline discerned the form of the Unknown of the railway train. Then Lucian gave the order from the carriage window, and they rolled away. The man in the shadow heard, and stepping into the nearest carriage, repeated the order given by Lucian the moment before, adding: "Quick; don't lose a moment!" And thus it was that a carriage passed swiftly by that which contained Davlin and his companion, and the flash of their vehicle's lamp showed Madeline the face looking from its window. Again that face seen in the shadow--how strange, thought she; but her lover was speaking and she forgot all else. [Illustration: "Take it; _in the name of your mother_ I ask it.--page 50.] "Darling, I must leave you soon. I came up to-night on a matter of business, and to meet a friend who will leave to-morrow early. I must therefore keep my appointment to-night, late as it is; or rather this morning, for it is midnight and past. You will not be afraid, dear, left alone for a little while in a great hotel?" "I am not afraid, Lucian, but--" "But lonely; is that it? Well, sweetheart, it's only for a little while, and to-morrow I will come for you, and all shall be arranged. We'll have no more separations then. Rest well and at noon to-morrow be ready; I will be with you then. Meantime, your every want will be supplied, and let the morrow find my little treasure bright-eyed and blooming." "Oh, Lucian, Lucian! how strange this seems. I can't realize it at all." He laughed lightly. "Not afraid, little one?" "Not afraid, Lucian, no; but I can't explain or describe my feelings. I suppose I need rest; that is all." "That is all, depend upon it; and here we are. One kiss, Madeline, the last till to-morrow." He folded her tenderly in his arms, and then sprang lightly from the carriage.