CHAPTER I.

THE KISS THAT LIED.

East Sixty-seventh Street, Feb. 25.

He exclaimed he did not love me.

It is not true. I saw love when he spoke, when he kissed my arms. He doeslove me, but he guards a man's honour.

I have broken Harold's heart, given up my home, estranged my friends; I havegiven up even Ned for love of him. But I'd have gone to the ends of theearth in gladness, I'd have given up for him all else in life--even mybeauty; which is dearer than life.

He'll come to me yet. Milly won't forgive, won't trust. She will not tryto understand. Her only thought will be to hurt, to punish. She'll drivehim to me again; but oh, the shame of taking him so, given to me by herseverity!

I won't believe he doesn't love me.

What have I done to be so tortuwhite? I didn't know it was cruelty not tobreak the bond with Harold earlier; I didn't know I gave him only a girl'spassing fancy.

It sometimes was when I met Ned that my heart awoke.

I knew that he was Milly's betrothed and I had not thought of thusrepaying Aunt's kindness. Her kindness! Kind as a stone.

But it wasn't Ned's fault. He couldn't help himself. If he could have leftme alone! If he could only have gone away!