sudden."

"Yes, Madeline, I know it is. I have no right to take you by storm
in this way, but I trust you will not allow my precipitancy to weight
against me. Take a little time to think it over--a week say" ("by which
time," he reflected, "I hope to be in Algiers.") "Only, if you can,
Madeline, tell me that I may hope."

She made no immediate answer, but, letting her hands fall idly in her
lap, looked straight before her, her beautiful eyes fixed upon vacancy,
and her mind amply occupied in considering the pros and cons of the
situation. Then Sir Eustace took heart of grace; bending down, he kissed
the Madonna-like face. Still there was no response. Only very gently she
pushed him from her, whispering:

"Yes, Eustace, I think I shall be able to tell you that you may hope."

Bottles waited to see no more. With set teeth and flaming eyes he crept,
a broken man, through the door that led on to the landing, crept down
the stairs and into the hall. On the pegs were his hat and coat; he took
them and passed into the street.

"I have done a disgraceful thing," he thought, "and I have paid for it."

Softly as the door closed Sir Eustace heard it; and then he too left the
room, murmuring, "I shall soon come for my answer, Madeline."

When he reached the street his brother was gone.