And yet if he only knew the truth, she thought; if he could only see that that cool, unresponsive attitude was forced upon her by circumstances; if he could only know how quickly her heart throbbed when he was present, and how dull and lonely all became when he was absent! She loved him.

Ah, yes! as truly and devotedly as he loved her.

But between them there had fallen a dark, grim shadow--one which, at all hazards and by every subterfuge, she must endeavour to hide.

She loved him, and could, therefore, never bear to hear his bitter reproaches or to witness his grief.

He worshipped her.