"I will remember!" he answered, in a voice so choked from emotion that vision was not necessary to know the nearness of tears.
"Will you give me your hand that I may know you have forgiven me for my presumption?"
Without a word the little hand was extended, and as that of the man closed over it, a quick, low cry escaped his lips.
"You cannot deceive me longer!" he cried, hoarsely. "I knew that you were Leonie in the beginning, but I wanted to have some proof before making my assertion. Oh, Leonie, child, child! why did you think it necessary to conceal your identity from me? Did you not know that I would have given my life, my soul, if needs were, to have saved you?"
Startled almost beyond self-control, Leonie listened to the words.
She knew that the ring she wore had betrayed her, but she could think of no way in which it was possible to cover the fact that he had discovered.
Very gently Lynde closed the door, then turning, took her hand and drew her down upon a couch beside him.
"Leonie," he said, "could you not have trusted me?"
"I did trust you," she cried desperately, "and you are to marry Evelyn Chandler!"
She had not meant to say that, but somehow the words had escaped her without her will. She would have recalled them if she could, but now it was too late. She lifted her eyes helplessly to his face.