taken a flower from me, and he inferred from it that you cared for him."
"No," she said; " don't think better of me than I deserve. He did send it to me. He asked me to wear it as a sign that I would accept his love. I thought he wanted to marry me; and I would have married him, for his rank and his money, though I didn't love him. I was bad enough for that, Frank. And then" She fell again to shuddering sobs.
"Go on, Elsie." Frank's voice was deep with passion. "Tell me everything."
"I can't, I can't. How can I tell you of my disgrace! How can I expect that you will ever speak to me or look at me again. If you knew how low I have fallen—what men, think of me!"
Frank gave a low, grim exclamation. "Well, Elsie, tell me as if I were your brother. Try for to-night to think of me as your brother."
"It was mamma who said I must wear that, and the bouquet; it came while I was dressing. I had told him at the races that—that he might send me something. I did it; how can I make you understand? Mr. Blake was behind me; he warned me against Lord Astar. He had no right, his speaking made me mad. I wanted to show him that I did not care."
"Ah!" Frank drew in his breath, as if with pain. "I understand. It is Blake whom you love."
"No, no"; she cried with passion. "I hate him. I never wish to see him again."
"Is that true, Elsie?"
"Yes, Frank, I will tell you the truth. I did think I cared for him. We were playing at a game that was deadly for me, and I wouldn't own it. I thought I would make him care. It was a fair challenge. I can't blame him for anything. One of us had to be hurt. It is I who was hurt, but I would not let him know. I hate him now. He exulted over me. He dared to tell me that he had won. And I said no, no. I wanted to show him that it didn't matter to me. It was for that, partly. You know I always
