guest in my own house." Oh, I grant you Margaret was in a temper now.

"It isn't that," he protested; "but I never see you alone. And I've

had something to tell you."

"Yes?" said she, coldly.

He drew near to her. "Surely," he breathed, "you must know what I have

long wanted to tell you--"

"Yes, I should think I

did

!" said Margaret, "and if you dare tell

me a word of it I'll never speak to you again. It's getting a little