"There," he sighed. "Now you admit it. We can talk sensibly and reasonably. Margaret, why have you tried to keep it up all these weeks, when it was just killing you?" "I wanted to make--you--happy," came miserably from behind the hands. "And did you think I could be made happy that way--by your wretchedness?" There was no answer. "I've seen it coming for a long time," he went on gently, "and I did not blame you. I could never have made you happy, and I knew it almost from the first. I wasn't happy, either--because I couldn't make you so. Perhaps now I--I shall be happier; who knows?" he asked, with a wan little smile. Margaret sobbed. It was so like Bobby--to belittle his own grief, just to make it easier for her! "You see, it was for only the work that you cared for me," resumed the man after a minute. "You loved that, and you thought you loved me. But it was only the work all the time, dear. I understand that now. You see I watched you--and I watched him." "Him!" Margaret's hands were down, and she was looking at Bobby with startled eyes. "Yes. I used to think he loved you even then, but after the fire, and I heard your cry of 'Frank'----" Margaret sprang to her feet. "Bobby, Bobby, you don't know what you are saying," she cried agitatedly. "Mr. Spencer does not love me, and he never loved me. Why, Bobby, he couldn't! He even pleaded with me to marry another man." "He pleaded with you!" Bobby's eyes were puzzled. "Yes. Now, Bobby, surely you understand that he doesn't love me. Surely you must see!" Bobby threw a quick look into the flushed, quivering face; then hastily turned his eyes away. "Yes, I see," he said almost savagely. And he did see--more than he wanted to. But he did not understand: how a man _could_ have the love of Margaret Kendall and not want it, was beyond the wildest flights of his fancy. CHAPTER XL Frank Spencer had already left the Mill House and gone to Hilcrest when McGinnis was well enough to go back to his place in the mills. The mills, in spite of the loss of the two buildings (which were being rapidly rebuilt) were running full time, and needed him greatly, particularly as the senior member of the firm had not entirely regained his old health and strength.