Tell me the truth; I can never be anything but your friend." "Believe one thing, dear Mrs.Ashton--that I have no intention of marrying anyone but Anne; and I wish with all my heart and soul you'd give her to me to-day.

Shut up with those two women, the one pretty, the other watching any chance word to turn it to her own use, I dare say the Mrs.Graveses of the place have talked, forgetting that Maude is my cousin.

I believe I paid some attention to Maude because I was angry at being kept out of the Rectory; but my attentions meant nothing, upon my honour." "Elster's folly, Val! Lady Maude may have thought they did." "At any rate she knew of my engagement to Anne." "Then there is nothing in it ?" "There shall be nothing in it," was the emphatic answer.

"Anne was my first love, and she will be my last.

You must promise to give her to me as soon as you return from Cannes." "About that you must ask her father.