whose claims I had hardly considered, seemed to melt away, 81 and I was left alone with her. People were going, and it was getting late, no doubt, but I did not yet mean to follow their example. After all–despite my dismal presages–it did appear that I was to have her for at least a moment or two to myself. 81 I had kept my word. I had outstayed them all–all but Carson Wildred. "Have you quite recovered from yesterday's accident?" I asked, glad to share even so insignificant a secret with her. "Yes, oh, yes!" She spoke hurriedly, and her eyes had moved to the distant group near the fireside–Lady Tressidy, Carson and Sir Walter. "You haven't reconsidered your promise that I should be your friend?" She turned to me quickly, and her eyes brimmed with unshed tears. "So many things in my life, though it is not so very long as yet, have come to me too late. Even–my friends–sometimes." Before I could beg her to tell me what she meant, Lady Tressidy had called her name, 82 and she sprang up obediently. I followed suit, of course. 82 "Come here, my dear girl. Mr. Stanton, this is quite a momentous day for us, and I can't resist the temptation to take you into our circle and our confidence," said the elder woman, graciously. "It is just settled that this sweet adopted child of ours is to leave us–and at short notice too. She and Mr. Wildred are going to be married." 83CHAPTER IXToo Late! 83 Too Late! "Too late!" the words that Karine had just spoken echoed in my ears like a knell of doom. For a few tremendous seconds that seemed endless I stood paralysed by Lady Tressidy's announcement, unable to speak. Then I turned and looked at Karine. Her eyes seemed to have been waiting for mine, and for an instant I held them with my gaze, until they fell, and veiled the answer mine had asked, with long shadowy lashes. Never, I thought, as my thirsty eyes drank in the beauty that was not for me, could there have been another woman so wholly lovely, so altogether desirable. I could have fallen on my knees
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