"Constance," he pleaded, "look at me, dear. Give me this one chance. I
shall never trouble you again."
"You have no right----" she began tremulously.
"No right to tell you I love you. Do you think I don't know that?" he
burst out. "It is just that very knowledge which has burnt itself into
me, and seared my very soul."
"What knowledge?" she asked, forgetful, in the suddenness of his attack,
the tactics she had adopted with regard to Lord Standon.
"The knowledge of your engagement," he answered hoarsely. "Ah,
Constance, be merciful. Surely not even Standon himself would grudge me
these last few moments."
"What has Lord Standon to do with me?" she asked, looking him full in
the face with steadfast eyes.
He stared at her in amazement.
"Is he not your accepted lover?"
His voice betrayed his agony of spirit; and, hearing this, she relented.
Holding up her left hand, the third finger of which was bare of rings,
she said quietly, almost, indeed, demurely:
"This does not look like it, does it?"
The light of hope, new-born, flashed into his face. He sprang forward
eagerly.
"Constance!" he cried.
Pages:
238
239
240
241
242
243
244
245
246
247
248
249
250
251
252
253
254
255
256
257
258
259
260
261
262