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Rh Soon Kane saw the little cloaked and hooded figure approaching through the private woodland path that led from the Denecroft domain. Slowly she came towards him, her veil down, nor would he seem to presume or prejudge her attitude by advancing to meet her.

Bitter sorrow and vain regret had set their seal upon his finely chiselled features, while affection unutterable and unspeakable gleamed in his eyes. With an inarticulate cry she tottered into his arms; shaking with sobs, her head sunk on his breast.

With self-accusing words he strove to soothe her, putting back the rebellious tendrils of hair that fringed her temples. By degrees he calmed her agitation, and poured balm into her aching heart. He told her anew of his undying love, and that it was because of this ennobling passion he had schooled himself to the confession which had raised up a well-nigh impassable barrier between them.

"If I had not loved you so well, dearest," he concluded, "I could not have brought myself to face it."

"And now I love you all the better," she exclaimed, smiling upon him proudly through her tears. "Your noble heart was revealed to me then!"

"You must forget me, Stella," he urged, trying to put her away from him.

"Never!" she asserted, nestling the closer to his side.

"But I leave England at once," he insisted.

"Then you must take me with you," she cried, "for I cannot live without you!"