"Then you actually love this man?" I inquired bitterly. "You have allowed him to worm himself into your heart by soft glances and softer speeches; to absorb your thoughts and to kiss your lips, without troubling to inquire if he is worthy of you, or if he is honest, manly, and upright? Why have you thus abandoned prudence?" "I have not abandoned prudence," she answered, a trifle indignantly, at the same time extricating her arm from mine. "I should certainly do so were I to consent to become yours." I started at the firmness of this response, looking at her in dismay. She spoke as though she feared me! "Then you have no trust in me?" I exclaimed despairingly. "For one simple little piece of negligence you have utterly abandoned me!" "No!" she replied, in a voice low but firm. "You have spoken the truth. I cannot trust you, neither can I love you. Therefore let us part, and let us in future remain asunder." "Ah, no!" I cried, imploringly. "Don't utter those cruel words, Muriel. You cannot really mean them. You know how fondly I love you." We had arrived outside Highbury Station; and as I uttered these words she halted, and without response, held out her hand, saying in a cold tone-- "You must leave me now. I ask this favour of you." "I cannot leave you," I panted in the wild desire which possessed me. "You must be mine, Muriel. Do not let this man draw you beneath his influence by his smooth words and studied politeness, for recollect who he is. You are aware--therefore I need not tell you." "Who he is? What do you mean?" "I mean that he is in no way fit to be your lover," I responded, my lover's flame of passion unallayed. "When you meet him, test him and watch if he really loves you. Recollect that your beauty, Muriel, is striking; and that personal beauty is often woman's deadliest enemy. I have, as you know, always sought to protect you from men who have flattered you merely because you possessed a pretty face. I loved you then, darling--I love you now!" A sigh escaped her, but without a word she turned and left me ere I could prevent her, and even as I stood I saw her walk straight across to the station entrance, where she joined the lean, shabby man who had been awaiting her to keep an appointment. Her eyes, quickened by love, had detected him ere he had noticed her, for he gave no glance in my direction, but lifting his shabby silk hat he grasped her hand, then walked on by her side, while I stood lonely and desolate, watching him disappear in the darkness with the woman I so fondly loved. I, faint soul, had given myself helplessly into the evil hands of Aline for no purpose. All was in vain. I had been brought near to hope's fruition, but Muriel had forsaken me. She had told me plainly that in her heart no spark of affection remained. I stood crushed--hopeless--the past an inexplicable mystery, the future a grey, barren sea of despair. CHAPTER EIGHTEEN. THE CHALICE.