He looked searchingly at her, and answered slowly: “You suspect me?” “Yes--by your emotion--of being Dallas Bain himself,” she returned frankly. “You are right, Miss Janowitz. I am that much-wronged and slandered man!” “Then why this masquerade--this title?” she inquired dubiously. “The title belongs to me,” he said briefly, explaining everything. “I am very much surprised,” she owned; adding: “Royall Sherwood tried to make every one believe you were a nobody.” “That was my fault. Just for a whim, I kept up a mystery over my past, and, of course, he thought I had something to hide. Then I fell in love with Daisie Bell and wanted to win her on my own merits.” “And you did. She loved you madly!” cried Annette, but she added: “It nearly broke her heart, I know, when you ran away with Letty Green.” “But I did not run away with Letty Green. There is some terrible mistake here. It is not possible that she--that Daisie--believed it?” “There was no room for doubt,” said Annette; and, between eager questions and answers, he presently knew the whole story of that night and day, whose adverse influences had goaded Daisie Bell into acquiescence with the fate that had made her Royall Sherwood’s wife. Then he told his own story of the letter Daisie had sent him that night by the maid. “She did not send that letter,” Annette assured him; and he said, with bitter anger: “Then we were both the victims of a dastardly plot. Who was the instigator?” “I cannot tell. Of course, Royall Sherwood was much benefited by it; but in his almost dying condition it was not possible for him to carry it out.” They looked at each other silently a moment, then Dallas said, with conviction: “I have heard that his loving cousin, Mrs. Fleming, helped him with his marriage. Doubtless this was her way.” “I do not know for certain; but I believe that you are right,” acquiesced the young girl; but she added: “Daisie stood firm against everything until Royall had that sinking spell, and even the doctor believed he was dying. Then she yielded for pity’s sake. We all persuaded her, I don’t deny it. But I always stood your friend until that night.” “I know that, and I thank you,” he said; and was rising when she put out her hand to arrest him. “Where are you going?” “To Daisie--to tell her the truth,” his eyes flashing. “Oh, for pity’s sake!” she cried, seizing his arm, and gently forcing him back into his seat. He paused, reluctantly saying: “But I shall not make a scene. I shall tell her quietly, before that wicked woman’s face, how we both have been deceived.” “You must not!” “Miss Janowitz!” Annette’s face became like a rose at his angry exclamation, but she repeated again, low and firmly: “You must not!” “I say that I will!” the angry young man exclaimed, endeavoring to go; but he could not break away without rudeness from the white, jeweled hand that grasped his arm.