think you do, makes it all the more important that you should know the truth now. Mercedes, there is—oh, how can I say it the way I would like?—there is an absolute, positive barrier against my ever marrying any girl, no difference how much I may care for her. It is something I cannot explain even to you, much as I trust you. And the barrier is not one that can ever be removed. Believe me, Mercedes, this is not an imaginary obstacle. I love you, and for that reason I am telling you this—something I never dreamed of telling another. But if I should marry you, there would be nothing but hate in your heart for me when you learned the truth about me, which you would be sure to do. There is no stain on my character"—as she partly drew away from him—"please do not think that. Some day you will know all; for the present, let us forget everything but the fact that we have each other, and live for today."
While her lover was speaking, the face of the girl gradually whitened, and when he had finished it was like marble, her lips trembling.
"Don't you think it would be best for us to not see each other again?" she asked in a low tone.
"Perhaps it would," he assented gravely. "But it will be very hard." Then, as he saw the pain expressed in her eyes, he broke out, appealingly:
"Forgive me, dearest—please forgive my seeming heartlessness. I did not intend to ever make you
