“When you are able, you shall, my darling. Court Manor is waiting for its mistress. Ah, Margery, little did I think years ago that I should so gladly return to my home, all pain and bitterness rooted out of my heart forever, and in their place the sweet fragrance of love and happiness, brought me by a spirit of peace and purity--my wife!” Margery moved her head restlessly on the silken pillow; his deep tenderness and devotion touched her wounded heart with healing gentleness, yet her burden was none the less, for she could never repay such great love, she could never give him what he gave her. Her pride had suffered such humiliation beneath the cold cruelty of Vane Charteris’ tongue that her heart might have thrilled now with satisfaction in the knowledge that she was--in the world’s eyes--a great person--Countess of Court, a peeress of the realm. But there was no pride in her heart. Her husband’s tender words only brought back with a sudden rush the memory of the great chasm between them. She drew her hand slowly from his, with the touch of his lips still clinging to it. “You know,” she whispered, meeting his gaze with her great starlike eyes--“you know--Enid told you that I am quite alone in the world--a waif, a stray?” “Yes, I know it, my darling.” “And you care for me just the same?” “I love you,” he answered, smiling; “I loved you from the very first. Yes, Enid told me your sad story, and it only binds you still closer to me; henceforth I must be mother, father, brother, sister, husband, all in one. Do not hold a thought in your heart that such a circumstance could make any difference. Remember-- “‘For unto every lord his own lady is All ladies and all beauties and all mysteries, The breathing multiple of roses passionate, Of perfect pearls, of birds with happy melody-- Ay, a mere girl, yet in herself a universe.’ “A poet sung that, Margery, and it is the very echo of my heart.” “You are very good,” she murmured, gently; and then, bending to touch her cheek with his lips, Lord Court went slowly from the room. Margery lay silent, his words ringing in her ears, and again and again she told herself that she could not destroy this man’s new-found peace, his life’s happiness. She must strive to crush all love and remembrance from her heart, turn her face from the past, with all its store of sweetness and bitterness, and look upon the future, where the path of duty lay straight before her. Loyalty and honor demanded the sacrifice, and she would obey them. “I shall go my ways, tread out my measure, Fill the days of my daily breath With fugitive things not good to treasure-- Do as the world doth, say as it saith. But, if we had loved each other, Oh, sweet!” CHAPTER XX.