'
"Singularly applicable to our present conversation, I think."
"Ah," she said, her pale face flushing with anger, "you want me to live
in a fool's paradise, which may end at any moment."
"That depends upon yourself," he answered coldly. "I never roused your
curiosity by telling you that there was a secret, but betrayed it
inadvertently to Calton's cross-questioning. I tell you candidly that I
did learn something from Rosanna Moore, and it concerns you, though
only indirectly through a third person. But it would do no good to
reveal it, and would ruin both our lives."
She did not answer, but looked straight before her into the glowing
sunshine.
Brian fell on his knees beside her, and stretched out his hands with an
entreating gesture.
"Oh, my darling," he cried sadly, "cannot you trust me? The
love which has stood such a test as yours cannot fail like this. Let me
bear the misery of knowing it alone, without blighting your young life
with the knowledge of it. I would tell you if I could, but, God help
me, I cannot--I cannot," and he buried his face in his hands.
Madge closed her mouth firmly, and touched his comely head with her
cool, white fingers. There was a struggle going on in her breast
between her feminine curiosity and her love for the man at her feet--the
latter conquered, and she bowed her head over his.
"Brian," she whispered softly, "let it be as you wish. I will never
again try to learn this secret, since you do not desire it.
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