eye, recognising them and naming them to himself. He did not meet
her eyes--dangerous, tear-laden.

"There is something the matter with you," she said. "You are
different. Yes, you want my uncle to come the day after to-morrow--
you want to go away to Mahon as soon as you can. I-- Oh, Fitz, I
don't want to be a coward!"

She stood in front of him, clenching her little fists, forcing back
the tears that gleamed in the moonlight. He did not dare to cease
his astronomical observations.

"I WON'T be a coward--if you will only speak. If you will tell me
what it is."

Then Fitz told his first deliberate lie.

"I have had bad news," he said, "about my brother Luke. I am
awfully anxious about him."

He did it very well; for his motive was good. And we may take it
that such a lie as this is not writ very large in the Book.

The girl paused for a little, and then deliberately wiped the tears
from her eyes.

"How horribly selfish I have been!" she said. "Why did you not tell
me sooner? I have only been thinking of my own troubles ever since-
-ever since poor papa-- I am a selfish wretch! I hate myself!
Tell me about your brother."