"I want your answer now."
"You shall have it in a week. I cannot talk further, now," replied Lena. "Pardon me if I leave you."
Lord Maltravers took up his hat.
"I shall not intrude further upon you; in a week I shall call for your answer. Please say good-night to your mother for me," he exclaimed.
Seizing her hand he raised it to his lips and imprinted a passionate kiss upon it.
As he left the room he added, under his breath: "She shall yet be mine, in spite of every thing."
Scarcely had she drawn a sigh of relief at his welcome absence than her mother entered.
There were tears in Lena's eyes, and she was pale and tremulous.
"Where is Lord Maltravers?" asked Mrs. Van Hoosen.
"He has gone."