"Yes, sorry; for you love me a little, I think, do you not? Surely it was not all for gold and rank that you accepted me." She knew that it was not, that she had given him all her fiery heart, but her pride was in arms. That tender appeal to her love sounded like a taunt. The hot blood rushed to her cheeks, and her great eyes flashed with almost insane anger. She cried contemptuously: "I fancied I loved you once, but a nature like mine cannot bear neglect and harshness. Your words to me just now were ill-chosen, and I cannot forgive them. From this moment I hate you. Take back your freedom and your ring," and she pressed the costly jewel into his reluctant hand. "So I am jilted," laughed the young man harshly. Not another word was spoken, for the carriage was rolling up the driveway, to the house. They saw Precious on the long piazza waiting. At sight of that beautiful young figure Ethel frowned heavily, and a qualm of pain shook her proud heart. "What if he turns to her? But he shall not!" she thought bitterly. She just touched his hand in springing from the carriage, then found Precious clinging about her neck. "Oh, I'm so glad to see you, darling!" she cooed, but Ethel soon shook her off. "Don't you see I'm tired to death? Let me go in and rest. Norah, how are you? By the way, send the housekeeper to me. We are to have guests--Lord Chester, Mr. Conway, and his daughter. Are the guest rooms ready?" Lord Chester stepped forward, and said in a low voice: "It will not be convenient for me to remain at Rosemont, Miss Winans. I shall go to the village hotel until my friend Earle is better, then I am going away." He saw the beautiful dark face turn ashy pale at his words, but she did not answer, and with a low bow that included all he walked away. Ethel's lips half opened as if to call him back, then they closed again, and Precious cried in dismay: "Oh, what have you done to Lord Chester? He is offended." "I have broken my engagement," answered her proud sister coldly. "Oh, you cruel girl!" cried Precious indignantly, but Ethel gave her a scathing glance. "It is no quarrel of yours," she said icily, then to Norah: "My mother wishes you and Precious to come to her in the carriage for a short time at Mr. Conway's. Come, Hetty, I will go to my room," and she swept away like a queen. Hetty lingered just long enough to whisper to Norah, "She's been in a tantrum all day," and followed her mistress. "Come, Norah, let us get in the carriage and go at once to mamma," cried Precious eagerly, and as the carriage rolled along the village street they passed Lord Chester striding along very fast toward the hotel. He lifted his hat to Precious with a glance that made her pulses beat faster, remembering yesterday and last night. A quick thought pulsed through her throbbing heart: "Ethel has broken her engagement. She no longer loves him. He is free--free--to--love--me."