“I will not accept it--I do not want it!” she cried hastily, adding: “Take my forgiveness freely. You sinned against me through your great love, so I cannot hate you.” A glad smile irradiated his features, and he was about to thank her for her goodness when Doctor Burns entered softly, having returned from his mission into the town. He expressed his pleasure at seeing Royall “getting on so nicely,” as he expressed it. Then he called in the nurse, and beckoned Daisie from the room. Her heart gave a wild throb of joy, and she followed him eagerly, expecting to behold Dallas the very next moment. CHAPTER XXI. SHE LONGED FOR DEATH. Daisie Bell followed the kindly old physician back to the little room where they had spoken together a while ago, her heart throbbing wildly, her eyes gleaming brightly, her color coming and going with the delightful anticipation of soon meeting her darling. Doctor Burns held open the door, and she stepped eagerly across the threshold, flashing her eyes brightly around in search of Dallas Bain. But the room was untenanted by the splendid form she had expected to see, and the old doctor said gently: “I did not find Mr. Bain. He had gone away.” “Gone away?” And her face paled with astonishment. “Yes; he left the hotel a little before daylight this morning, telling the clerk he was returning to New York. But sit down, my dear young lady, and call up all your fortitude, for I fear I have most unpleasant news for you,” exclaimed Doctor Burns solicitously, and as she sank nervously into the nearest seat he continued: “I almost fear that this Dallas Bain is unworthy of your regard. Has there not always been something mysterious about the young man?” “Oh, Doctor Burns, do not you also join the ranks of his traducers!” Daisie faltered, clasping her little hands together, tears welling into her beautiful eyes. Then she looked up into his benevolent old face, and was startled at the fatherly pity that beamed from his kind gray eyes. Drawing his chair close to hers, he regarded her kindly, saying: “I have something very strange to tell you, but perhaps you will be able to explain the mystery of it, since you know Mr. Bain so well.” His voice was so grave that she felt an icy chill run over her frame, and her lips refused to utter a word, so he continued: “About two hours after midnight a young woman dressed in black, and so heavily veiled as to be unrecognizable, called at the hotel, and insisted on having Dallas Bain called up, as she had very important news for him.