But you, young sir," he added, turning suddenly on Lorimer, who was engaged in meditatively smoothing out on his palm one of the fallen rose-petals--"you have not spoken.

What faith do you profess?
It is no curiosity that prompts me to ask,--I only seek not to offend." Lorimer laughed languidly.

"Upon my life, Mr.Gueldmar, you really ask too much of me.

I haven't any faith at all; not a shred! It's been all knocked out of me.

I tried to hold on to a last remaining bit of Christian rope in the universal ship-wreck, but that was torn out of my hands by a scientific professor, who ought to know what he is about, and--and--now I drift along anyhow!" Gueldmar smiled dubiously; but Thelma looked at the speaker with astonished, regretful eyes.
"I am sorry," she said simply.