"I have asked you not to betray me," she said. "Now I warn you that if you do, I will never forgive you; and I tell you that you will cause even greater misery than now exists. I am dead to Lord Chandon and to all my past life. I tell you plainly that if you say one word to your master, I will go away to the uttermost ends of the earth, where no one shall recognize me. Be persuaded--do not--as you are a man yourself--do not drive a helpless, suffering woman to despair. My fate is hard enough--do not render it any harder. I have enough to bear--do not add to my burden." "Upon my word, Miss Vaughan," returned the man irresolutely, "I do not know what to do." "You can think the matter over," she said. "Meanwhile, Gustave, grant me one favor--promise me that you will not tell Lord Chandon without first warning me." "I will promise that," he agreed. "Thanks," said Hyacinth, gratefully, to whom even this concession was a great deal. "I shall not, perhaps, be able to see you again, Gustave; but you can write to me and tell me what you have decided on doing." "I will, Miss Vaughan," he assented. "And pray be careful that my name does not pass your lips. I am known as Miss Holte here." With a low bow the man walked away; and they were both unconscious that the angry eyes of a jealous woman had been upon them. CHAPTER XXXV. Kate Mansfield, Miss Dartelle's maid, had taken, as she expressed it, "a great fancy" to Gustave. She was a pretty, quick, bright-eyed girl, not at all accustomed to giving her smiles in vain. Gustave--who had been with Lord Chandon for many years--was handsome too in his way. He had an intelligent face, eyes that were bright and full of expression, and a somewhat mocking smile, which added, in Kate's mind, considerable to his charms. He had certainly appeared very attentive to her; and up to the present Kate had felt pretty sure of her conquest. She heard Gustave say, as his master was out for the day, he should have a long ramble on the seashore; and the pretty maid, having put on her most becoming bonnet, made some pretext for going to the shore at the same time. She quite expected to meet him, "And then," as she said to herself, with a smile, "the seaside is a romantic place. And who knows what may happen?" But when Kate had reached the shore, and her bright eyes had wandered over the sands she saw no Gustave. "He has altered his mind," she thought, "and has gone elsewhere." She walked on, somewhat disappointed, but feeling sure that she should meet him before she returned home. Presently her attention was attracted by the sound of a man's voice, and, looking round a bowlder, she saw Gustave in deep conversation with the governess, Miss Holte. Kate was already jealous of Miss Holte--jealous of her beauty and of the favor with which Lady Dartelle regarded her.