She glanced at him quickly and began to tremble. "Not another hour must pass without a confession to you." He moved across the room and sat down as if by an effort to put distance between them. "What is it?" she asked, colouring. He was silent a moment and then said with low, deliberate tenderness: "I love you." She sobbed, and he looked steadily out of the window. "I dare not sit by your side when I tell you this," he continued passionately. "I have felt it growing in spite of reason or will. I know it's tragedy and sealed my lips with bolts of steel. I have been too weak to keep away from you, strong enough to keep silent. But God has sent his messenger to-day to recall me to duty. There is truth in the old faith. He has heard and answered the prayer of my heart. Somewhere in this Mammon-cursed city there is one beautiful disinterested soul that gives and asks nothing. I have seen, as in a flash of lightning, my danger. I must tear this passion out of my life, though it kill me. I must be true to my vows. I must live without scandal or shame. And you," he paused and his voice sank to a tense whisper--"my beautiful darling, glorious love of my manhood--you must help me!" He buried his face in his great hands, convulsed with emotion. "I will, my dearest," she tenderly answered. "If I had failed to-day," he went on tremblingly, "perhaps in reckless fury I might have forgotten duty, dashed the cup of this martyrdom from my lips, and drowned conscience in the sweetness of your kiss. But God sent success, not failure. And I must be worthy. I have sinned a thousand times as I have gloated over your beauty, heard the music of your voice, touched your soft hand and looked into your soul through those dear blue eyes. It must end. One hour thus face to face we will speak, and never again by word or deed recall that we are aught to one another. I have not asked if you love me. How well I know the tragic truth! But you will tell me once, that my ears may never forget the words on your lips." "I love you, I love you, I-love-you!" she sobbed in anguish. "We must never be together alone again," he sighed. "No." "We must not see each other any more." "It is best," she said, with despair. "I dare not touch your hand--good-by!" he cried, staggering to his feet. "Good-by, Frank, my hero, my love--my God!" He took one step toward the door, but his feet carried him to her side. He trembled, hesitated, and then slowly drew her to his heart. Her arms stole around his neck and her head drooped on his breast, the perfume of her hair was in his nostrils, and their lips met in burning kisses. "God forgive us! It was more than mortal flesh could bear to go without one moment of love's sweet life!" he cried. "And now we must part." He took her hands in his and gently kissed them, while she looked away seeing only his face, for it had long since filled the world.