Tell me the truth, and I will go myself to your father and denounce the fellow before his face!" "Ah, no!" she cried, full of quick apprehension.

"Never think of doing that, Walter!" "Why?
Am I not your friend ?" "Such a course would only bring his wrath down upon my head.

He would retaliate quickly, and I alone would suffer." "But, my dear Gabrielle," he exclaimed, "you really speak in enigmas.
Whatever can you fear from a man who is known to be a blackguard--whom I could now, at this very moment, expose in such a manner that he would never dare to set foot in Perthshire again ?" "Such a course would be most injudicious, I assure you.

His ruin would mean--it would mean--my--own!" "I don't follow you." "Ah, because you do not know my secret--you----" "Your secret!" the young man gasped, staring at her, yet still holding her trembling form in his strong arms.

"Why, what do you mean?
What secret ?" "I--I cannot tell you!" she exclaimed in a hard, mechanical voice, looking straight before her.
"But you must," he protested.
"I--I asked you, Walter, to make me a promise," she said, her voice broken by emotion--"a promise that, for the sake of the love you bear for me, you will not believe that man, that you will disregard any allegation against me." "And I promise, on one condition, darling--that you tell me in confidence what I, as your future husband, have a just right to know--the nature of this secret of yours." "Ah, no!" she cried, unable longer to restrain her tears, and burying her pale, beautiful face upon his arm.