"Chance," said the girl, sadly--"an evil or a good chance for me--which? Stephen, I sometimes wish that we had never met--that I had not crossed your path, and so have left the old life, with its dull, quiet and sober grayness; but the die was cast that afternoon. I went back to the quiet home, to the old man who had been my father, mother and all to me, and life was changed." "Your grandfather has no suspicion?" "No, he trusts me entirely. If he asks a question when I go to meet you, he is satisfied when I tell him that I am going to a neighbor. Stephen, if I had had a mother, do you think I should have deceived her also?" "Deceived? Deceived is too harsh a word, my dear Laura. We have been obliged, for various reasons, to use some reserve--let us say candidly, to conceal our engagement. You have not mentioned my name to anyone?" he broke off. "To no one," she answered. "Such concealment was necessary. My uncle was a man of rough and hasty temper, ill-judging and merciless." "But," she said, with a sudden eagerness, and a slight shudder, "he--he is dead now, Stephen. There is no need for further concealment." "Softly, softly, dear Laura. We must be patient--must keep our little secret a little while longer. I can trust my darling to confide in me--yes, yes, I know that----" "Stephen, to-night for the first time--why, I know not--I have doubted--no, not doubted, for I have fought hard against the suspicion that I was wrong to trust you." "My dearest!" he murmured reproachfully. "You were wrong to leave me for so long without a word--you put my love to too severe a test. I--I cannot say whether it has stood it or not. To-night I am full of doubt. Stephen--look at me!" He turned his face and looked down. He had not far to look, for she was tall, and in the moment of excitement had drawn herself to her full height. The moon, sailing from amongst the clouds, shone on her upturned face; her lips were set, and the dark eyes gleamed from the white face. "Look at me, Stephen. If--I say if--there is the faintest idea of treachery lurking in your mind----" "My dearest----" "Cast it out! Here, to-night, I warn you to cast it out! Such love as mine is like a two-edged sword, it cuts both ways, for love--or hate! Stephen, I have loved, I have trusted you--for mine, for your own sake, be true to me!" He was more impressed than alarmed. This side of her character had been presented to him to-night for the first time. Hitherto the beautiful girl had been all smiles and humble devotion. Was she bewitched, or had he been mistaken in her. Perhaps it was the moon, but suddenly his face looked paler than ever, and the white eyelids drooped until they hid the shifting eyes, as he put his arm around her.