"Don't think to deceive me, for you deceive yourself, dearest heart, if you do. I'm sensible in flashes, though mostly blind with you. I've read the riddle ever since he went away; now I've read the answer too." "You wrong me to speak so. I have not changed to you, John; and to him I am nothing in the world." "Be angry; be angry; I could rage, too; I could tear up the earth and--and--but I haven't the heart. I wouldn't hurt him excepting as man to man. I'd pray to Heaven to bring us face to face in war. I'd seek him out on land or sea--I'd----" He broke off, dropped his rein, and pressed his hands to his face. Then Grace rode close to him and touched his arm. "You are unhappy, and I have made you so. This must not be, dear John. 'Tis life and death between--between lovers, to speak pure honesty at all times. Listen. He grew to love me. 'Twas the loneliness and friendlessness of his life. His eyes had seen no woman for years; therefore he made more of me than I deserved. He--he asked me to marry him some day; and I told him that I belonged to another. Then he went out of my life and blessed the unknown man who had been more fortunate than himself. That is the truth; and if I've been half-hearted and my wits a wool-gathering, forgive me, for the thought of Master Stark's sorrow has made me sad. I have much desired the war to end that he might go home to those who love him; and--and--don't look at me like that, John, for God knows I speak the truth to you. I hoped for his sake that the war might cease; for yours that it might not cease. Then I settled it by praying for peace with America--for his sake, and war with France--for yours. I'm only a fool, John, but I'm a truthful fool. There's nothing else in my silly heart but that." "But there is--looking out of your eyes when you forget to shut them and hide it. My pretty darling--oh, God, to give you up! I cannot. I never will. A thousand heroes shall not take you----" "Give me up--what do you mean?" she cried, and her heart beat fiercely. "Why, 'tis true there must be no secrets betwixt us," he said in a gentle voice, "not so long as we are what we are to one another. 'Pure honesty' was your word. You tell me he asked you to marry him. And you tell me what you answered. I know all that right well without your telling me. But I've got to know more; I've got to know what you felt as well as said." "Sorry for him--most truly sorry for him, dear John. I _did_ like him. I'll own to that."