Dr. Godfrey moistened the earl’s lips again; the breath came from the injured chest in short, broken respirations; and then, as dew to a parched flower, as golden light in direst darkness, fell the whisper of her hubsand’s voice on Margery’s ears. He looked at the doctor, then said, with difficulty: “Leave us--alone.” Dr. Godfrey rose and turned to Margery. “Do not agitate him,” he said, gently. “He has something to tell you, I see. Moisten his lips with brandy if he grows faint. I will go out on the terrace; I shall be close at hand if you want me.” The earl’s eyes followed him; then they came back to Margery. He tried to raise his hand to her head, but the effort was too much; it fell, nerveless, to his side. “My darling--my wife! You are sorry, then?” he gasped. “Sorry?” whispered Margery, her voice thick with agony. “Oh, that I could give my life for yours, Nugent! That I could spare you all!” She could say no more. The earl moved his head a little; his eyes closed. She put the brandy to his lips. “It has come at last!” he murmured. “Margery, listen, my darling! I know your secret, your love story.” He wrestled for a moment with his growing faintness; then went on, brokenly: “I was in my room that day when you parted from Stuart, and I heard all, my brave darling--learned how much you were suffering. My death will set you free. You will be happy in the future, Margery, my sweet one!” “Do not--oh, do not speak like that, Nugent!” she whispered, mad with a fever of pain, regret, remorse. “You torture me!” “Let me tell you how happy you have made me, wife. Death is near--you must----” His voice sank; then, with a last effort, he went on: “Promise to make Stuart happy. He loves you, Margery. Give me your promise----” “I cannot!” she broke in, in tearless agony. “Nugent, you break my heart--you----” Then seeing the intense eagerness of his dark eyes, she paused. “Promise!” his lips formed rather than spoke. She hesitated only for a moment. “I promise,” she murmured, faintly. A smile lighted up his face. “Now all is ended!” The words came very faintly. “I am content. Kiss me, my----” Margery put her lips to his--their coldness filled her with dread. A sigh came from the earl’s injured breast, his eyes closed. “Nugent, I promise!” she murmured, wildly. “But you will not go--you will not leave me! I want you! You must stay! Nugent, open your eyes--speak to me--husband!” She bent over him again, and as she did so a gentle hand was placed on her shoulder, and she was raised from her knees. She saw the still, pallid face, calm and passive in the sunlight; then a great blackness came over her, and she knew no more. CHAPTER XXX. “Margery, the sea is beautiful to-day. Come out, child; it will do you good.” Miss Lawson spoke in her old abrupt, almost stern way; but she experienced deep, heartfelt pain as she looked at the slight form in its heavy mourning-robe, and at the girlish, beautiful face beneath the widow’s cap.