"What has caused you to turn from me like this?" I demanded. "Through the years we have been acquainted, Muriel, I have admired you; I have watched your growth from an awkward schoolgirl into a graceful and beautiful woman; I alone know how you have suffered, and how bravely you have borne the buffets of adversity. I have therefore a right to love you, Muriel--a right to regard you as my own." "No," she answered hoarsely, "you have no right. I am alone mistress of my own actions." "Then you don't love me?" I exclaimed despairingly. She shook her head, and her breast slowly heaved and fell. The foot-passengers hurrying past little dreamed that in that busy road I was making a declaration of my love. "You have cast me aside merely because of this man!" I went on, a fierce anger of jealousy rising within me. "To love and to cherish you, to make you my wife and give you what comfort in life I can, is my sole object. I think of nothing else, dream of nothing else. You are my very life, Muriel," I said, bending again until my words fell in a whisper in her ear. But she started back quickly as if my utterances had stung her, and panting said-- "Why do you still persist in speaking like this when I have already given you my answer? I cannot love you." "Cannot!" I echoed blankly, all my hopes in an instant crushed. Then, determinedly, I added: "No, you shall not thrust me aside in this manner. The man who declares his love for you shall not snatch you thus from me!" "But cannot you see that it is because of our long friendship I am determined not to deceive you. You have asked me a question, and I have given you a plain, straightforward answer." "You are enamoured of this cunning, lank-haired individual around whom centres a mystery as great as that which envelops Aline Cloud," I said. Her lips compressed, and I saw that mention of Aline's name caused her uneasiness, as it had before done. There were many people passing and repassing, therefore in that broad artery of London's ceaseless traffic our conversation was as private as though it had taken place in the silence of my own room. "Does the mystery surrounding that woman still puzzle you?" she inquired, with a calmness which I knew was feigned. Her fond eyes, which once had shone upon me with their love-light, were cold and contemptuous. "Puzzle me?" I repeated. "It has almost driven me to distraction. I verily believe she possesses the power of Satan himself." "Yes," she agreed. "If the truth is ever known regarding her I anticipate a strange and startling revelation." "Ah!" I exclaimed instantly. "You know more than you will tell. Why do you seek always to conceal the truth?" "I know nothing," she protested. "Aline is your friend. Surely you may ascertain the truth from her?" "But this lover of yours--this man who now occupies the place in your heart which I once hoped to occupy--who is he?"