Reckless as my nature had grown in the hard school of life, I shrank from this test, dreading to see her face change, her attitude harden.

And it would; there had already been sufficient revealment of her character to make me aware of how firm a line she drew between right and wrong.

It was not in her nature to compromise.

She trusted, me--yes! But as a "gentleman." Should I fail in that test of her faith I could never again hope to regain my place in her esteem.

I have wondered since how I ever won that swift, deadly battle; how I ever crushed back the wild passion, the mad impulse to clasp her In my arms.