John Bruce was on his feet. He stumbled a little as he took a step forward. His heart was pounding, flinging a red tide into the pallor of his cheeks that illness had claimed as one of its tolls. “I--I did not mean to tell you like that,” he said huskily. “But I have wanted to tell you for so long. It seems as though I have always wanted to tell you. Claire--I love you.” She did not answer. He was beside her now--only her head was lowered and averted and he could not look into her face. Her fingers were plucking tremulously at a fold of her dress. He caught her hand between both his own. “Claire--Claire, I love you!” he whispered. She disengaged her hand gently; and, still refusing to let him see her face, shook her head slowly. “I--I-----” Her voice was very low. “Oh, don't you know?” “I know I love you,” he answered passionately. “I know that nothing else but that matters.” Again she shook her head. “I thought perhaps he would have told you. I--I am going to marry Doctor Crang.” John Bruce stepped back involuntarily; and for a moment incredulity and helpless amazement held sway in his expression--then his lips tightened in a hurt, half angry way. “Is that fair to me, Claire--to give me an answer like that?” he said in a low tone. “I know it isn't true, of course; it couldn't be--but--but it isn't much of a joke either, is it?” “It is true,” she said monotonously. He leaned suddenly forward, and taking her face between his hands, made her lift her head and look at him. The brown eyes were swimming with tears. The red swept her face in a great wave, and, receding, left it deathly pale--and in a frenzy of confusion she wrenched herself free from him and retreated a step. “My God!” said John Bruce hoarsely. “You--and Doctor Crang! I don't understand! It is monstrous! You can't love that----” He checked himself, biting at his lips. “You can't love Doctor Crang. It is impossible! You dare not stand there and tell me that you do. Answer me, Claire--answer me!” She seemed to have regained her self-control--or perhaps it was the one defense she knew. The little figure was drawn up, her head held back. “You have no right to ask me that,” she said steadily.