“Because secrecy has been imposed upon me.”
“By one who is in fear of certain consequences—eh?” he asked furiously.
“Yes,” was her faltering response.
“Then is it not right that I, your future husband, should be acquainted with what has occurred, Gwen?” he demanded quickly. “By your silence, you are only arousing suspicions within me that may be cruel and unjust towards you.”
“I regret, Frank, that it must remain so. I have given a pledge that I cannot break—even at your request.”
“Ah! then your love for me is not so strong as I believed it to be!” he cried reproachfully, letting her hand drop. “How many times have you placed your arms about my neck and declared your affection for me?” he asked bitterly.
“I do love you, Frank—I swear I love you as much as I have always done!” she cried wildly, stretching forth her arms to him in her despair.
“Impossible. You have made a solemn pledge to another—a man. Do you deny that it is a man?”
“No. I deny nothing that is the truth,” she whispered hoarsely, “I dare not tell you the truth for—for that man’s sake!”
“You apparently think a great deal of him!” exclaimed Farquhar, with rising anger.