Gwendolen's heart began to beat violently. The words that she wanted to utter, as one wants to return a blow, were. "You are breaking your promise to me--the first promise you made me." But she dared not utter them. She was as frightened at a quarrel as if she had foreseen that it would end with throttling fingers on her neck. After a pause, she said in the tone rather of defeat than resentment,

Gwendolen's heart began to beat violently. She wanted to retaliate with the words: "You are breaking your promise to me - your first promise." But she dared not utter them. The prospect of a quarrel frightened her. After a pause, she said in the tone of defeat-
