If I make not that sharing sweet to her, then indeed--But I will! I will give her wealth and name and place, and a heart to keep.

Again I say that the fault of this meeting is all mine.

I humbly beg your pardon, Colonel Churchill, and I beg your consent to my marriage with your niece--" [Illustration: YOU ARE A SCOUNDREL, SIR!] The Colonel, who had heard so far in stormy silence, broke in with, "Marry my niece, sir! I had rather see my niece dead and laid in her grave! Consent! I'd as soon consent to her death or dishonour! Name and place! you neither have them nor will have them!" He turned upon Jacqueline.

"I'll forgive you," he said, breathing heavily, "there in the library, when you have written and signed a letter to Mr.Lewis Rand explaining that both he and you were mistaken in your sentiments towards him.

I'll forgive you then, and I'll do my best to forget.