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And Wogan understood that the real trouble with her at this 's delay in Spain as a doubt whether he himself had

played with her and spoken her false For if he was proved untrue here,

why, he hout, on the stairway at Innspruck,

on the road to Ala, in the hut on the bluff of the hills He could see

how harshly the doubt would buffet her pride, hoould wound her to

the soul

"It is the truth," he answered; "you will believe it I pledge my soul

upon it Lay your hand inso Could I

speak false with your hand close in mine?"

He held out his hand; she did not move, nor did her attitude of distrust

relent

"Could you not?" she asked icily

Wogan was baffled; he was angered "Have I ever told you lies?" he asked

passionately, and she answered, "Yes," and steadily looked him in the

face

The monosyllable quenched him like a pail of cold water He stood

silent, perplexed, trying to remember