(Xntil then I believed what I had been told — that the person' who caused ; all the trouble, and whose, identity, you had concealed, was your wife.'' ! lie sorted ; his eyes gashed, , •,; '"You believed me capable- of such baseness.' 1 « Yes,' ebe replied-; from the depths pf humiliation. ... * May I ask who, told you this story? * « Qo!m Dene.' *Ahl He was at The Lodge when that wretched incident occurred,; fljnjl adopted Sir SimWs view,' He * re : quesfed trie very politely, but very decidedly, not to call at his house; Again, and to regard himself and his family as strangers. I waa content to abide by his decision so far, but deter mined that I would hpar my fate, where you were concerned, from your own -lips only. I on my way to place the. whole matter before you wlipn, as you remember, we met.' ' I wish I did not remember bo well, that f could forget my harshness, or be sure that you forgave it* Only, only, did you really believe me capable of, re-, proaching you with another's fault, mean enough, cowardly enough to taunt you with that ? 1 Perhaps we may cry c Quits ' on one score, at least. I was sorry that you would not allow me to assure you that to yon, at least, I would have told my unfortunate family story, before I asked you for your love, as I then hoped to ask for it ; I would have told you of the burden I must bear. 1 ask you now, Miss Aylmer, to believe that I did not wilfully and deliberately deceive you in concealing the fact that I had no home, such as others have and that, the one who is usually a blessing was in my case, little better than a curse. 1 Edith suddenly burst. on crying. ' 1 don't think L oan boar any more,' she said, through her sobs. ' I suppose you cannot forgive me, or you would have said so before now !' • T do forgive you, if it is necessary to say so. We have both been the victims oE treachery.' ■ l You will not go away t Unole Dick would be so grieved.. 