“I guess Sadie and Maimie are just as good Americans as I am,” said Félicia languidly. “Well!” she cried, with sudden fire, “if I told you all that what would you do?” “I should accept your word, of course.” “Oh, how kind! how condescending! Well, then, I just won’t tell you anything of the sort. You won’t have any word to accept, do you see? and you can just do as you like.” “Félicia, you are not treating me fairly!” cried Usk, torn asunder with doubts. “Tell me you were not at the Carnival, and I will make any apology you please. You had no right to test me as you say, for I think I have passed the stage for that sort of thing, but if it was a test, I failed; I acknowledge that.” “This is a test, too,” said Félicia calmly. “You promised to trust me, and I mean to see what your trust is worth. I have suggested an explanation, and if you don’t choose to accept it, you can just go.” “Only tell me that you were not at the Carnival.” “I won’t say a word. And you make out to love me!” “And I do. If I leave off loving you, it will be because you have killed my love with your own hands. You know I love you, Fay. Could I bear the way you treat me if I didn’t? Am I to stand all the tests and you none? Give me just that one assurance, and you won’t repent it. I shall be bowed down with shame.” “I don’t see but I’d better ring for Jacques to show you out,” remarked Félicia conversationally, moving towards the bell. “You don’t care for me! You can’t care for me!” cried Usk. Félicia turned towards him again. “Solemnly, Usk, if I care for any one, I care for you, but I won’t be treated that way. I must be trusted all in all, or not at all. If you can do it, say so, and stay.” Her hand was on the bell-rope. Her beautiful eyes looked sadly, entreatingly at him. There were tears ready to fall. “I can! I do!” he cried. “Oh, Fay, you are cruel to me!” “Cruel only to be kind,” said Mrs van Zyl, entering the room just as Usk’s arms were round Félicia. “I guess you’re in again, Fay? You’ll stay lunch, Lord Usk? We receive this afternoon.” The last piece of information was not particularly delightful to Usk, but he stayed, and was rewarded for abandoning his private judgment by many tender looks and caressing words from Félicia. A certain amount of triumph over Maimie was visible in her glance, and Usk guessed miserably that Maimie had prophesied he would not allow himself to be cajoled. Even now he felt horribly conscious that he did not believe in Félicia’s explanation. He had yielded because at the moment the fear of losing her seemed intolerable, but his submission degraded him in his own eyes. All Félicia’s endeavours to hide his chain with flowers were useless; she did not love him, and he did not trust her.