"Suppose I tell you that I was once taught that lesson by another? Will you give over talking to me then of what could never be?"
"Azalia—Miss Brooke!"
"It is true," she answered, in a bitter tone.
"You love another!" he exclaimed, despairingly.
"Nay, nay; I loved once! Put it in the past tense, please!" she interrupted; and even where he sat, Laurie Meredith could hear the deep sigh that heaved her breast as she added, in a voice of passionate self-scorn: "I should hate myself could I love him still, false and fickle as he proved to be!"
Lord Clive stared at her in the most profound amazement, startled by her unwonted emotion, but the agitated voice went on:
"Yes, look at me in wonder. You have thought me cold and heartless because I turned a deaf ear to lovers. It is due to you that I confess the truth. I have no heart to give, because it was wiled from me long ago by one who valued it but for a little while, then flung it carelessly away!"
"Impossible!" he exclaimed, in the greatest wonder.
"It is true," she answered; and the pathos of her voice went to Laurie Meredith's heart.