"Ah, then! But it is wrong to wish that he should have been guilty of any wickedness. I think, Mr. Stanton, that as I have promised to be his wife we must talk no more of this–you and I. I have always had a horror of disloyalty."
"I know," I said, "that I have done an unheard-of thing in thus stealing you away from your friends to ask you questions which only the most intimate friends could claim the right to ask, but—"
"Oh," she cried, impulsively. "Somehow you and I have bridged over years. You are good to me–don't think I will misunderstand. I shall always remember you, and–what you would have done for me."
"What I shall try yet to do, in spite of all," I amended. "I meant to leave England soon, but now–I shall stay."
"Yes–stay," she faintly echoed; "though you must leave me now. I–I would rather anything than that you were with me when they come to me. I will make them some excuse for having separated myself from them. Only go now–please go."
As she spoke, outside in the hall we heard voices and footsteps coming nearer.
CHAPTER XI
Wildred Scores
Karine's face grew paler than before.
Throwing up her head with a proud, spirited little gesture, she walked quickly to the door, and passed into the hall.