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"You! And I--I never guessed it! Oh, forgive ive me! Then indeed

there never was any hope for me I understand! How blind I have been!

Who----No; I've no right to ask Now I understand the look in your eyes

which has often haunted and puzzled

fool I have been all this time!"

"Hush!" she said, still so low that he could only just hear the broken

lad you did not know I--I would not have told you

now, if--if it were not all past and done with!"

"Nell!" he said

"Yes, it is all past and done with," she repeated "And--and I want to

forget it I want you--to help me! Oh! must I speak more plainly? Won't

you understand? If you will be content to takewhat I have

told you--if you will be content to wait until I--I have quite

forgotten! and I shall soon, very soon----"

He stretched out his hand to her, an eager cry on his lips

"Content!" he said "You ask me if I shall be content!"

Then, as she put out her hand to meet his, he saw her face It hite

to the lips, and there was a look in her eyes ony than