"Now look straight into my eyes and let me see if you are quite sane," he said.
She lifted her long lashes obediently and looked at him.
He started as those dark eyes met his own. They were dim and heavy with almost intolerable anguish.
"Oh, Heaven, my darling, what mystery is this?" he cried out, fearfully. "Lina, what has happened to part us?"
She shivered, as though the very words hurt her.
"It is only for a little while," she said, in a low and faltering tone. "Uncle Charlie has promised to do all he can for us. It is bitter to bear, Ronald, but it will all come right."
"Lina, you drive me mad," he cried, hoarsely; and she saw that his face was pallid as death, and his eyes wild and frightened. "Go, my child, send Walter Earle to me. Perhaps he will tell me the truth."
A look of resolute endurance came into the pathetic young face.
"No," she said, "I will tell you myself. They said I could break it to you more gently. Perhaps I may help you to bear it. Oh, my darling, do not look at me so hard! I would have died rather than this should have happened."