"It is true," she breathed. Leycester turned white for the first time, and seemed unable to withdraw his eyes from hers for a moment, then he walked up to her and took her hands. "Look at me!" he said, in a low, constrained voice. "Do you know that I am here?--I--am--here!--that I came here to protect you? That whatever this man has said to force this mad avowal from your lips I will make him answer for! Stella! Stella! If you do not wish to drive me mad, look at me and tell me that this is a lie!" She looked at him sadly, sorrowfully. "It is true--true," she said. "Of your own free will?--you hesitate! Ah!" She flung her hands before her eyes for a moment to gain strength to deal him the blow, then with white constrained face she said-- "Of my own free will!" He dropped her hands, but stood looking at her. Jasper's voice aroused him from the stupor which fell upon him. "Come, my lord," he said, in a dry, cold voice, "you have received your answer. Let me suggest that you have inflicted more than enough pain upon this lady, and let me remind you that as I am her affianced husband I have the right to request you to leave her in peace." Leycester turned to him slowly, but without speaking to him went up to Stella. "Stella," he said, and his voice was harsh and hoarse. "For the last time I ask you--for the last time!--is this true? Have you betrayed me for this man? Have you promised to be--his wife?" The answer came in a low clear voice: "It is true. I shall be his wife." He staggered slightly, but recovered himself, and stood upright, his hands clasped, the veins on his forehead swelling. "It is enough," he said. "You tell me that it is of your own free will. I do not believe that. I know that this man has some hold upon you. What it is I cannot guess. I feel that you will not tell me, and that he would only lie if I asked him. But it is enough for me. Stella--I call you so for the last time--you have deceived me; you have kept this thing hidden from me. May Heaven forgive you, I cannot!" Then he took his hat and turned to leave the room. As he did so she swayed toward him, and almost fell at his feet, but Jasper glided toward her and held her, and, as Leycester turned, he saw her leaning on Jasper, her arm linked in his. Without a word Leycester opened the door and went out. Frank sprang toward him, but Leycester put him back with a firm grasp. "Oh, Lord Leycester!" he cried. Leycester paused for a moment, his hand on the boy's arm. "Go to her," he said. "She has lied to me. There is something between her and that man. I have seen her for the last time," and before the boy could find a word of expostulation or entreaty, Leycester pushed him aside and went out. CHAPTER XXXI. Leycester went down the stairs with the uncertain gait of a drunken man, and having reached the open air stood for a moment staring round him as if he were bereft of his senses; as indeed he almost was.