The Yale expositor., 1901-04-26


Just then the door opened and Mil
dred entered. She came in swiftly,
and advanced so rapidly toward the
chimney-piece that, until she was with
in foot of him, she was not aware OF
his presence there, and acknowledged
her surprise by sudden start and ex-
lamation of alarm.
81 beg your pardon" he said; Il did
not mean to brighten you"
Even as he spoke wild determine
tion to know the worst from her own
lips without loss of time seized upon
him.
81 came for a book" explained Mil
dred, hurriedly. "Ah, here 1t is! In
confusion l hardly remembered where
had left it,
Can you spare me few minutes?"
asked Denzil, without giving himself
liberty to think further.
Certainly" answered Mildred, in a
tone of marked surprise. But do you
not think that another time would be
more convenient? You see"-glancing
at the clock-"how late it is? The
ball will commence in less than half
an hour, and we shall not be ready"
81 will not detain you long," he said
two or three minutes at the furthest
Indeed, few words will comprise all
that have to say. You must have
Observation-Disclosures must know
for yourself"
STAY" cried Mildred, faintly-"do
not go on! You have said enough
believe me-
at is too late now to stop me-" in
terrupted Denzil, passionately. Il
must go on and tell you the one
thought that occupies me day and
night. Reject me-despise me, If you
will, only hear me-"
To this, although he waited as If in
expectation, she made no answer. Per-
haps, had she then once more forbid
den him, he might forever have held
his peace. But she kept complete
silence.
They formed curious picture,
standing there in the old-fashioned
dresses they had not had time to re-
move; Denzil in white satin breeches
and rich ruffles and carefully-powde
hair, Miss Trevanion as LA VALERIE"
with her trailing embroidered satin
robe, her fair hair also thinly pow
dered, and her soft white arms half
barred.
Encouraged by her speechlessness,
Denzil spoke again
II love you," he said, simply. 81 am
only telling you what you have known
all along-am not? And yet, even to
myself, when put into language, ii
seems quite different-the words sound
so poor and cold. Is it altogether hope
less, Mildred? Is there any chance
for me?"
She had moved a few steps backward
as he began speaking, and now stood
supporting herself by one hand resting
on the table. She had lowered her eyes
and fixed them on the ground, and APP
peared calm enough though she made
no response to his last appeal.
"Give me my answer" he said.
"You should not have gone on" she
observed at length, her tone low but
angry. 81 forbade you to do so. 1t
was unfair to compel me to listen
when you knew I wished neither to
hear nor to understand.
"Give me my answer" he said again.
What answer can l give?" she
asked, with a slight impatient move
ment of the hand near him. Better
would it be to ask for none. l warned
you before. Be satisfied now, and leave
me-"
Give me my answer" he said for
the third time, sternly. II will take ii
from your own lips now"
"Then, as you will have it." she
: cried, losing all moderation, take
from my own lips No"
There was a long pause. Denzil's
!, face was as white as death. Miss Ire
vanion's scarcely less so; while the
hand that lay upon the table appeared
!, bloodless from the intensity with
: which she leaned upon it.
. do you say that because my father
= earned his money by trader" asked
Denzil, slowly.
at cannot matter now" she an
swered, coldly.
Yes, it does" he went on, excitedly;
| land / believe, from my heart, that
that is the reason. believe that, Low.
+. ing you as | do, could in time have
r made you return my love had not your
wretched pride stepped in to prevent
it, Or can it be true what l have
heard said-that you would at any risk
willingly sell yourself to gain a title.
II | could bring myself to think thai
of you-if that were possible Tel
me, Mildred-is It the TRUTH"
81 do not understand you" said Mil
dred, haughtily. IL will listen to M
more of your questioning, sir. Let m,
2 pass"
= 1T is true, them" he exclaimed, pas
sionately. selling her hand to detair
her. you do not deny it! And yo-
will sacrifice yourself to obtain pos
; session of mere position? imagined
: you incapable of such thing; but SCI
how mistaken we all are in the idols
| oot u Il L.