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Her eyes rested on hily, and there was that in the half-parted

lips which compelled him to rise on his elbow and kiss them

"And yet you could have ravely "Did you not think of her, Drake?"

"No," he replied gravely "I gave no thought to her until I came home

and saw her And it was not for love of her that I should have married

her, Nell, but in sheer desperation You see, it did not matter to me

whom I married if I could not have you"

"And yet--ah, how hard love is!--she cares for you, Drake! I have seen

her--I saw her on the terrace, I saw her at the ball here"

He laughed half bitterly

"My dear Nell, don't let that idea worry you There is nothing in it; it

is quite aworave;cle life----"

"She is very beautiful," Nell said, just even to her rival

"I'll grant it, though coirl I

know----"

Nell put her hand over his lips; and he kissed it, and went on gravely