when the air was a silvery haze, and there was no dew upon the
roses. I, too, have grown older--I trust, wiser and stronger since I
talked so largely of my career--what I hoped to be and to do. When
did you see her--Miss Aylett," abruptly, and with a total change of
manner.

"The Rubicon is forded," thought Rosa, complacently, the while her
compassion for him was sincere and strong. "He can never shut his
heart inexorably against me after this."

Aloud, she replied after an instant's hesitation designed to prepare
him for what was to follow--"I was with Mabel for several days last
May. We have not met since."

"She is alive--and well?" he asked, anxiously.

An inexplicable something in her manner warned him that all was not
right.

"She is--or was, when I last heard news of her; we do not
correspond. She does not live at Ridgeley now."

There she stopped, before adding the apex to the nicely graduated
climax.

"Not live with her brother! I do not understand."

"Have you not heard of her marriage?"

"No!"