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236 "Poor child!" be exclaimed, in a moved voice; and he turned his face away as if to hide the pain he felt. "You humiliate me," he cried; "you are a noble woman and a true woman. And I—but if you knew everything you would not blame me so much."

"I don't blame you," Elsie said, her voice, too, quavering. "I have told you so. I—I ought to thank you, Mr. Blake," she cried impulsively. "I feel somehow that you didn't want to hurt me, and that you don't quite despise me."

"God knows that is true enough," he said.

"Then," she went on, still with impulsive eagerness, "let us agree to forget all this winter in Leichardt's Town. Let us begin afresh from to-day and be friends—good friends." She held out her hand. He took it in his, and looked at her wistfully.

"You see," she said, embarrassed by his gaze, and trying hard to be calm, "I have made a new beginning for myself. I want to be different and to be more worthy—of—" she hesitated—"of the man I am going to marry."

"Elsie," he cried, "tell me, are you happy?"

"Yes, I am happy," she answered, after a moment's pause and struggling with all in her that was rebellious. "I am happy. Frank Hallett's future wife ought to be happy."

"You are right," he answered. "To me henceforth you will be Frank Hallett's wife; the wife of one of the best fellows that ever lived. You will be no longer Elsie Valliant after to-day. Good-bye, Elsie Valliant."

He raised her hand to his lips, kissed it passionately, and left her without another word.