be absurdest jugglery. But he told me the past so truly--my very
thoughts! And no one could know what happened in Spain so many years
ago! Oh, I must believe it--I can not help it--and that belief will
drive me mad!"

Lady Kingsland stood looking and listening, in pale wonder.

"I don't understand a word of this," she said, slowly. "Will you tell
me, Sir Jasper, or am I to understand you have secrets your wife may
not share?"

"My own dear wife," he said--"my best beloved--Heaven knows, if I have
one secret from you, I keep it that I may save you sorrow. Not one
cloud should ever darken the sunshine of your sky, if I had my way.
You are right--I have a secret--a secret of horror, and dread, and
dismay--a terrible secret that sears my brain and burns my heart!
Olivia, my darling, its very horror prevents my telling it to you!"

"Does it concern our boy?" she asked, quickly.

"Yes!" with a groan. "Now you can understand its full terror. It
menaces the son I love more than life. I thought to keep it from you;
I tried to appear unchanged; but it seems I have failed miserably."

"And you will not tell me what this secret is?"

"I dare not! I would not have you suffer as I suffer."

"A moment ago you said I would laugh at it and you. Your terms are
inconsistent, Sir Jasper."