"I start for Springfield to-day," she announced. "I have another
relative there living at the house. When shall I have the pleasure
of seeing you in my new home?"

"Never." It was said regretfully, and yet with a certain
brusqueness, occasioned perhaps by over-excited feeling. "Hard as
it is for me to say it, Amabel, it is but just for me to tell you
that after our parting here to-day we will meet only as strangers.
Friendship between us would be mockery, and any closer
relationship has become impossible."

It had cost him an immense effort to say these words, and he
expected, fondly expected, I must admit, to see her colour change
and her head droop. But instead of this she looked at him steadily
for a moment, then slipped her hand down his arm till she reached
his palm, which she pressed with sudden warmth, drawing him into
the room as she did so, and shutting the door behind them. He was
speechless, for she never had looked so handsome or so glowing.
Instead of showing depression or humiliation even, she confronted
him with a smile more dangerous than any display of grief, for it
contained what it had hitherto lacked, positive and irresistible
admiration. Her words were equally dangerous.

"I kiss your hand, as the Spaniards say." And she almost did so,
with a bend of her head, which just allowed him to catch a glimpse
of two startling dimples.

He was astounded. He thought he knew this woman well, but at this
moment she was as incomprehensible to him as if he had never made
a study of her caprices and sought an explanation for her ever-