It was a joke--an extravagance that I had forgotten; at least, it was a confidence between you and me that you have foolishly violated.

Say that you misunderstood me--that it was a fancy of your own.

Say anything--he trusts you--he'll believe anything you say." "He HAS believed me," said Grace, almost fiercely, turning upon him with the paper that Rushbrook had given her in her outstretched hand.

"Read that!" He read it.

Had he blushed, had he stammered, had he even kept up his former frantic and pitiable attitude, she might at that supreme moment have forgiven him.