"Great Heaven!" he exclaimed, "can I believe my ears? Is this you, Stella—speaking to me in these words and in this fashion? Why!—why!—why!"
And the questions burst forth from him passionately.
She clasped her hands, and looked up at him.
"Do not ask me—I cannot tell. Spare me!"
Leycester turned to Frank.
"Will you—will you leave us, my dear Frank?" he said, hoarsely.
Frank went out slowly, then Leycester turned to Jasper.
"Hear me," he said. "You have given me to understand that the key of this enigma is in your possession; you will be good enough to furnish me with it. There must be no more mystery. Understand once for all, and at once, that I will have no trifling."
"Leycester!"
He put up his hand to her, gently, reassuringly,