The sad dark eyes regarded him in wonder.
"Yes, darling," he said, with a smile into the wondering eyes; "all that you have suffered only makes you dearer to my heart."
She pulled her small hand from his clasp and tried to rise.
"Mr. Valchester, you must not speak to me so," she cried. "You forget Violet—you forget everything."
"I forget nothing," he returned. "Listen, Lina, I did not come here simply to pain you. I have news for you. Gerald Huntington is dead."
[CHAPTER XLI.]
At those words from her lover's lips Jaquelina gasped for breath like one dying. Her head fell heavily back against her chair, and her eyelids closed. Ronald bent over her in surprise and alarm.
"Lina, did I tell you too suddenly?" he exclaimed, chafing the limp and nerveless hands. "Forgive me, I forgot how weak and nervous you must be yet."