"Frightened of me! I do not understand you, Azalia," he said, inquiringly.
"I had—something—to tell you," faltered the frightened voice. "Oh, Lord Clive, do not look at me so kindly for presently you will hate me! I—I—want to take back my promise! I can not learn to love you, so I can never marry you!"
When he recovered from the severe shock she had given him he attempted to expostulate with her, to reason with her, but all to no purpose, for she would only reiterate her declaration that she could never marry him, and beg him to forgive her for what she had done.
His handsome blonde face grew pale with emotion.
"Your reasons for this strange step, Azalia?" he said at last, haughtily, indignation beginning to work in his breast.
"I do not love you," she faltered, faintly.
"You told me that before, yet you did me the honor to accept my offer; so there must be some newer reason," said Lord Clive.
She began to sob bitterly, and he said, impatiently:
"I am waiting for your answer, Miss Brooke."
Driven to bay, she answered, sobbingly: