and restitution,—not an extorted avowal, but one made of his own free will, and while yet he held the reins in his own control.
Better to lose the girl now and retain his own self-respect than marry her and be found out afterwards, for in that event she would be lost to him beyond recall,—of that he felt sure.
The gray dawn of winter was creeping in around the edges of the window-blinds ere he came to this conclusion, and then it was with a strange feeling of elation and exaltation that he threw himself on the bed and slept the first refreshing sleep that had come to him in weeks.
The succeeding day was Sunday. Kane had promised to meet Stella at afternoon service and walk home with her. This had been their weekly custom since the ball, and they both dearly prized this half-hour of sweet intercourse as they sauntered through the park.
On this, possibly their last day together, Kane realized as he had never done before how inexpressibly indispensable she had become to him, and yet in that very fact he found strength for the coming ordeal, for with his customary quick decision he meant to get it over.
"You will probably find Sir Arthur and Rick in the library," she said, as they entered the hall at Denecroft, as yet unlighted save by the fitful blaze of a log fire.
"Will you join us there?" inquired Kane solicitously as he detained her by the hand.
"Certainly, if you wish it," she returned.
"I do wish it," was the reply. "I have something to say which I want you all to hear."
A new note in his voice arrested her attention, and she looked up at him in quick surprise. He drew her, all wrapped and bonneted as she was, into a little recess, and took her in his arms, imprinting on her lips a warm and passionate kiss.
"It may be for the last time, dearest," he whispered, "but do not judge me too harshly when you hear all."
"What is it?" she asked tremulously, her eyes large and luminous with tender interest and alarm. For answer he said,—
"In a little while you will know," and led her to the foot of the stairs. Slowly she ascended as though oppressed by the weight of an impending disaster; at the turn she stopped and looked back at him where he stood watching her with passionate adoration, all his soul in his eyes. Then he turned his steps towards the library.
"Hullo, Kane!" exclaimed Richard heartily, rising and flinging a book to the other end of the leather lounge on which he had been dozing. "Come in, man! You're just in time to keep us awake."
The Baronet's greeting, if less vociferous, was none the less pleasant.
