carry out a most extraordinary course of action toward me. This looks
like restraint or imprisonment."

Wiggins looked at her with an expression of earnest entreaty on his
face, with which there was also mingled an air of indescribable sadness.

"It is necessary," said he, in a mournful voice. "Can you not bring
yourself to bear with it? You do not know what is at stake. Some day
all will be explained."

"This is silly," exclaimed Edith. "No explanation is possible. I insist
on leaving this place at once. If you refuse to let me go, it will he
worse for you than for me."

"You do not know what you ask," said Wiggins.

"I ask you," said Edith, sternly and proudly, "to open those gates to
your mistress."

Wiggins shook his head.

"I ask you to open those gates," continued Edith. "If you let me go now,
I promise not to prosecute you--at least for this. I will forget to-day
and yesterday."

Saying this, she looked at him inquiringly. But Wiggins shook his head
as before. "It can not be," said he.

"You decide, then, to refuse my demand?" said Edith, impatiently.