Bid me do whatever you can think of, all except bid me go back to the people I have hitherto called mine:--not that!' 'And that is what I have to request of you,' said he, with his calm smile brightening and growing more foreign, histrionic, unreadable to her.

'And this greatest sacrifice that you can perform for me, are you prepared to do it?
Will you ?' She tried to decipher the mask he wore: it was proof against her imploring eyes.

'If you can ask me--if you can positively wish it--yes,' she said.

'But think of what you are doing.

Oh! Alvan, not back to them! Think!' He smiled insufferably.