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Rh with all my might, to be faithful, grateful for your fidelity and love."

"Oh, I see it all now," cried Paul, delight and hope again springing up in his simple soul. "You think I am low and base-born, a pauper, and you despise yourself for having lifted me to the high plane you occupy."

She was about to speak, but he gave her no chance to break the current of words which flowed from his lips.

"Oh, do not speak; hear me out. The very day you made of me a God, because you said you loved me, it was made known to me that I was of gentle birth, rich beyond all imagination. I am not the dog, the pauper, the base-born wretch, but am equal in birth, in wealth and power, to any man who might aspire to honorable marriage with you."

He paused, breathlessly, expecting Ouida to melt in delightful surprise at their good fortune. But no such thing happened. In his intensity, he did not observe her gathering anger. When he finished his story, she said:

"So, sir, you knew all this the very day I spoke to you?"

"Yes, but would not then have told it to you to save a tottering throne."

"Then thus boldly and shamelessly," she thundered forth, "you confess deception?"

"What man alive would not have remained silent," said Paul, "when speaking meant so deep a loss? Will you not forgive me?"

Even then he thought she would relent, and he approached her. She waived him off, contemptuously.

"Away! Approach me not. You madden me," she said, with frightful vehemence, "I thought that you were