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92. He had met with defeat. The girl's faith had triumphed. He felt he ought to succumb, yet he was proud and stubborn, and even yet there was opposition in his soul.

Almost immediately after Olivia Winters and Mr. Connors had departed Horatio Nugent returned to Ouida's presence.

"I have just seen Marie Salmon and Milton Royle," said he.

"Milton Royle," she said, "so he has returned from abroad?"

"Yes, and radiant with victory. He has won the first prize at Rome, and was most anxious to offer his gratitude to you, but I knew you were weary with the trials of the day, and begged him to come some other time."

"I am glad you did so. The sight of his beaming face would have recalled memories that would have made me doubly sad."

"Yes, the period of your triumphs before I cast my dark and grim shadow over the sunshine of your life. Woe is me!"

"And do you think," said Ouida, with infinite tenderness, "that I regret you?"

"That is the very thought that sears my soul. I know my wrong to you. Yet through it all your brave smile