It was a frightened gasp, and she grew pale as her snowy morning gown, as she stole another glance at his face. It was cold, proud, angry. She had given his self-esteem a cruel blow, and stricken down his faith in her at one fell stroke. "You despise me!" she faltered, and he answered icily: "Do you not deserve it?" "Yes," she murmured deeply. "My love was a poor thing, Arthur. It could not stand the test of your loss of rank and fortune. But you will not grieve for me. It was a lucky escape to lose a bride who lived only for ambition as I do. But--there is another with a truer heart than mine. Go to her, Arthur--to Precious--you can win her love, and she will make you happy." He turned from her with scorn. "Take your freedom, Miss Winans--you are welcome to it," he said bitterly, and hurried from the room; his heart swelling with wounded pride. He had never really loved her, but he had admired and respected her so much that he recoiled in pain from the knowledge that she had never really loved him at all and that she was at heart cold, scheming, and ambitious--a woman to throw aside a lover like a worn-out glove! CHAPTER XXXIX. "FAIR LOT THAT MAIDENS CHOOSE." "To hear, to heed, to wed, And with thy lord depart In tears that he as soon as shed, Will let no longer smart. Thy mother's lot, my dear, She doth in naught accuse; Her lot to bear, to nurse, to rear, To love--and then to lose!" --JEAN INGELOW. Arthur sought Senator Winans in the library, where he was discussing Bruce Conway's letter with his wife, and as calmly as he could he told them of Ethel's decision. They were startled, dismayed. The great statesman paled with shame and anger. While his wife wept he raved in impotent fury. "That a daughter of mine could have been willing to sell herself for a coronet, and to shirk the bargain like this in the eyes of all the world!--it is infamous, detestable! I will not permit it; she shall marry you! Wait here, Arthur, until I bring her to reason!" he exclaimed, starting to the door. "No, no," and two white hands clasped his arm and held him back. "No, Paul, you must not go to Ethel. Arthur does not want an unwilling bride!" "No, never!" cried the young man proudly. "Remain, senator, for I am quite satisfied. My pride is wounded more than my heart. I shall soon get over the blow." "I will never forgive Ethel!" cried the angry senator. "She has shamed her mother and me before the whole world. People will point the finger of scorn at her and at us. She has always been proud and strange, this girl; but I did not dream she was so ignoble at heart. Henceforth, she can be a daughter only in name to me, for she has forfeited both love and respect. Oh, how different it would have been had you loved my favorite daughter instead of heartless Ethel! Precious would only have loved you the better for your misfortunes!"