"I suppose you care for someone else," he said at last.

"Yes," said Barbara, whose back, metaphorically, was against the wall.

"Somebody much more--suitable."

"No," said Barbara, "he is poor and not distinguished and has all his
way to make in the world."

"He might change his mind, or--die."

"If so, I should not change mine," said Barbara. "Very likely I shall
not marry him, but I shall not marry anyone else."

"In heaven's name, why not?"

"Because it would be a sacrilege against heaven."

Then at last Mr. Russell understood.

"Allow me to offer you my good wishes and to assure you of my earnest
and unalterable respect," he said in a somewhat broken voice, and taking
her hand he touched it lightly with his lips, turned, and departed out
of Barbara's sight and life.



Ten minutes later Lady Thompson arrived, and her coming was like to
that of a thunderstorm. She shut the door, locked it, and sat down in an