'Did you lie to me when you said you loved me? Was that a lie? Was it a
trap?'

'It does not matter now, Harry; all is over, all.'

'An' you did lie to me. You lied because you thought I'd give your father
up if my love was not returned. My God! you thought I took advantage
of--'

'No, no, no!' she cried, 'not that. I thought no ill of you, I think
none. Think what you will of me.'

'But I was fooled--cruelly, bitterly fooled. You needn't have done it,
Chris. I'd rather have died than have added to your sufferings. Your
trick wasn't necessary. I cared more for you than you'll ever know.'

Her hands trembled at her sides and her lips moved, but her eyes remained
steadfast.

'I know your good heart, Harry,' she said in a voice almost harsh from
the restraint put upon her. 'I will bless you and pray for you while I
live, but I can never be your wife. You are mad to think of me. Some day
you will be glad I refused to listen to you, and grateful to me for what
I have done.'

'Grateful!' he cried. 'To be grateful I must learn to hate you. I'll go
an' learn that lesson.'

He turned from her and strode towards the gate, but there he paused with
his arm upon the bar, and presently he moved back to her side.