So, as they talked, he asked her, had she heard

From Michael lately? No, she had not; she

Had been a great while now, without a word.

"No news is always good news," answered he.

"You know," he said, "how much you mean to me;

You've always been the queen. Oh, if I could

Do anything to help, my dear, you know I would."

"Nothing," she said, much touched. "But you believe--

You still believe in him?" "Why, yes," he said.

Lie though it was he did not dare deceive