"Remember me not as a lover Whose hopes have been crossed, Whose bosom may never recover The light it hath lost. As a young bride remembers the mother She loves, but may never more see, As a sister remembers a brother, Oh, dearest, remember me! "Could I be thy true lover, dearest, Couldst thou smile on me, I would be the fondest and dearest That ever loved thee! But a cloud on my pathway is glooming That never must burst upon thine; And Heaven that made thee all blooming Ne'er made thee to wither on mine!" Something like these beautiful, holy thoughts beamed in Lord Chester's eyes and thrilled in his voice as he spoke to Precious, and melted her heart to responsiveness. Deeply moved she held out her little hand to him, and he clasped it warmly in his own. At that moment the portieres of the door again parted noiselessly, and Ethel stood like a picture framed between them. "Arthur!" Ethel almost shrieked, and the clasped hands fell apart quickly, and the young pair sprang to their feet, each one crying confusedly: "Ethel!" At the same moment they moved toward her and Precious glided instantly from the room, believing the meeting of the betrothed lovers too sacred to be intruded on even by a sister. Was there a silent, unacknowledged pain also at the bottom of her young, noble heart? If there was she would not have owned it even to her own heart. She went to the library, took a new book and tried to lose herself in its fascinating pages. Meanwhile Arthur, with a pang like death at his heart, went forward and took Ethel's hand while he stooped and kissed her crimson lips with a feigned warmth, inquiring gently: "Are you surprised?" "Very much so," she replied with a sarcastic intonation. "At my early arrival, I mean?" he went on with a flush rising to his brow. Leading her gently to a seat he continued: "The Paris made a very fast trip and I am here before you expected me. Are you glad, Ethel?" He looked anxiously into her dark eyes. They were flashing angrily and her slender foot tapped the carpet vehemently. Not a word came from her crimson lips. "Are you glad?" he repeated gently, but she bit her lips without reply. Lord Chester waited impatiently several minutes, but Ethel preserved the same scornful mien. Then he rose indignantly. "Perhaps I am unwelcome. You have repented your decision in my favor. I had better go," he said with hauteur. Then she lifted her dainty gloved hand with a gesture for him to resume his seat. "Do not go," she said icily, "until you have explained the tableau I witnessed when I entered just now." "The tableau!" She answered curtly: "You and Precious sat close together with clasped hands like lovers. Am I to understand that my sister has deceitfully stolen my place in your heart, and that it would be best for me to resign my claim on your hand in her favor also?"