A sudden dreadful thought came over him like an icy chill. He faltered:
"Can it be I have been over-confident? Am I mistaken in believing——"
"Yes, oh, yes—a great mistake!" she breathed faintly, just loud enough for him to catch the words.
He stood like one stunned, the hope and joy fading from his eyes, his heart sinking with despair.
Then he found his voice, and cried hoarsely:
"I must be going mad. I was as sure of your love, as sure of my happiness, as I am that God reigns in heaven. Do you mean that you do not love me, that you cannot marry me?"
"Never! never!"
"Child, child, you cannot be so cruel! Ah, give me a little hope to live on! Say you will try to love me. Let me teach you love's sweet lesson. Let me plead to you!"
"Ah, no, no, no! Let me plead to you, Arthur—nay, Lord Chester!" and suddenly she was on her knees, at his feet, her white face uplifted in the moonlight, the burning tears upon her cheeks. Wild words came from the pale, writhing lips—startling words full of Ethel's repentance and Ethel's prayer for pardon.
"You are not free, you dare not love another lest Ethel's despair blight your happiness. Go back to her, forgive her, and the old love will return," she sobbed.