"Not a word," she said, proudly,
lifting her little hand before his darkening face. "Do not insult
me by replying to such an accusation in my presence. Captain
Carroll," she continued, turning towards him, "I cannot forget that
you were introduced into my mother's house as an officer and a
gentleman. When you return to it as such, and not as a MAN OF
BUSINESS, you will be welcome. Until then, farewell!"
She remained standing, erect and passionless, as Carroll, with a
cold salutation, stepped back and disappeared in the darkness; and
then she turned, and, with tottering step and a little cry, fell
upon Guest's breast. "O Harry--Harry!--why have you deceived me!"
"I thought it for the best, darling," he said, lifting her face to
his. "You know now the prospect I spoke of--the hope that buoyed
me up! I wanted to win you myself alone, without appealing to your
sense of justice or even your sympathies! I did win you. God
knows, if I had not, you would never have learned through me that a
son of Dr. West had ever lived. But that was not enough. When I
found that I could establish my right to my father's property, I
wanted you to marry me before YOU knew it; so that it never could
be said that you were influenced by anything but love for me. That
was why I came here to-day. That was why I pressed you to fly with
me!"
He ceased. She was fumbling with the buttons of his waistcoat.
"Harry," she said, softly, "did you think of the property when--
when--you kissed me in the conservatory?"
"I thought of nothing but YOU," he answered, tenderly.
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