Do you agree to this ?" He bowed his head, and Alice drew a step nearer to him, hesitating a moment ere she continued: "You speak of a rival.

I do not know that you have one.

Sure it is I am bound to no one by any pledge, or promise, or tie, unless it be a tie of gratitude." Hugh glanced up quickly now, and the words, "You are mistaken; it was not Irving Stanley," trembled on his lips, but his strong will fought them back, and Alice went on.
"I will be frank with you, and say that I have seen one who pleased me, both for the noble qualities he possessed, and because I had thought so much of meeting him, of expressing to him my thanks for a great favor done when I was only a child.

There's a look in your face like his; you remind me of him often; and, Hugh--" the little hand pressed more closely on Hugh's shoulder, while Alice's breath came heavily, "And, Hugh, it may be, that in time I can conscientiously give you a different answer from what I did to-night.

I may love as your wife should love you; and--and, Hugh, if I do, I'll tell you so at the proper time." There was a gleam of sunshine now to illumine the thick darkness, and, in the first moments of his joy Hugh wound his arm around the slight form, and tried to bring it nearer to him.