tears rained down the white cheeks as her head lay upon his breast, and he
kissed them away.

"Oh!" she sobbed, shuddering. "If you had not come! It was terrible,
_terrible_! I believe he would have killed me rather than have let me go
again."

Gradually his tender ministrations calmed her, but she turned troubled
eyes to his face.

"You do not know yet that I am all I say. You have nothing to prove it. Of
course, by and by, when I can get to my guardians, and with your help
perhaps make them understand, you will know, but I don't see how you can
trust me till then."

For answer he brought his hand up in front of her face and turned the
flashing diamond--her diamond--so that its glory caught the single ray of
setting sun that filtered into the hotel window.

"See, darling," he said. "It is your ring. I have worn it ever since as an
outward sign that I trusted you."

"You are taking me on trust, though, in spite of all you say, and it is
beautiful."

He laid his lips against hers. "Yes," he said; "it is beautiful, and it is
best."

It was very still in the room for a moment while she nestled close to him
and his eyes drank in the sweetness of her face.