"Why did you leave Washington without informing me? Surely it was my right to know!" "Surely, Ethel, but I hope that no blame can attach to me for not seeing you first, as a telegram summoned me in haste to your brother, and in order to catch the first train here I had to leave without sending you a line. But I wrote you yesterday, and had you not left Washington so soon this morning you would have received it ere this. I trust this explanation will acquit me in your eyes of all dereliction from duty." His voice was cold, almost contemptuous, and his resentment of anger only stung the haughty beauty to further insolence. "Your duty to me ranked before your courtesy to Earle," she replied perversely. "When may I hope you will forgive me this time if I promise to wear my chains more slavishly in future?" he asked, with delicate sarcasm that stung deeply. "You call your betrothal to me a chain! Perhaps you would like to be free of your fetters!" flashed the girl. CHAPTER XXI. DISCARDED! "I give thee up--a better fate My warm devotedness was due, Yet as I strike thee from my heart A tear shall seal our last adieu.... An idle word--a careless look, That love can yet too plainly see, Has quenched the lambent, holy flame, And all estranged my heart from thee!" Lord Chester's pride could scarcely brook Ethel's insolent arraignment for what she chose to term his failure in duty. Impatience was one of his faults, and he could scarcely restrain his indignation. His dark gray eyes flashed with temper until they looked as black and brilliant as Ethel's own, and a deep red spot rose to his cheek. His heart leaped with the impulse to take the haughty beauty at her word, to be free of the fetters he had forged for honor's sake. "Free!" Oh, what a sweet sound the word had in his ears! Surely Ethel did not dream how sorely she was tempting him with her resentful sneers. Free! Why, then, he might woo dainty Precious with her sweet blue eyes and gentle heart. Oh, what a heaven of happiness opened before him at the thought! But he bit his lips and held his peace. His own inner anxiety to take Ethel at her word only made him feel more deeply his lack of love for his betrothed. "And she loves me, despite her anger. It would not be honorable to take her at her rash offer," he decided with that keen sense of _noblesse oblige_ inherent in noble natures. Ethel regarded his silence in angry wonder. She chose to consider it an affront, and said coldly: "I offered you your freedom. Am I not worthy an answer?" Holding his temper sternly in check Lord Chester answered gravely: "Ethel, do you understand what you are saying? You are dismissing me on such slight cause that when your anger cools you will be surprised at yourself--surprised, and--perhaps a little sorry," and he looked full into her eyes. "Sorry!" she cried scornfully, and tossed her head. He answered quietly: