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Rh 'I cannot!' Lady Bligh commanded her voice with difficulty. 'I cannot!'

'Oh! then it's no good saying anything more about that.' There was a touch of bitterness in the girl's tone. 'But, at any rate, you might give me a hint or two how to be more like what you are. Can't you do that, even?'

'No, my dear—how can I? I am no model, Heaven knows!'

'Aren't you? Then I will get up. I am going, Lady Bligh. It's no good staying and bothering you any longer. I have asked my questions.'

She rose sadly from the stool, and her eyes met Lady Bligh's again. For some minutes she had kept her face turned steadily to the fire. The rich warm glow of the fire still flushed her face and lingered in her luminous eyes. In the half-lit room, with the rain rattling ceaselessly against the panes, the presence of the Bride was especially attractive and comforting; but perhaps it was chiefly the rarity of her companionship to Lady Bligh that made the latter clutch Gladys's hand so eagerly.

'Don't go, my dear. Stop, and let us talk. This is practically our first talk