I used to believe in it once, myself." She did not speak, only watched the slow motion of his lips, not looking into his eyes,--as she used to do in the old time.

Whatever secret account lay between the souls of this man and woman came out now, and stood bare on their faces.
"I used to think that I, too, loved," he went on, in his low, hard tone.

"But it kept me back, Margret, and"---- He was silent.
"I know, Stephen.

It kept you back"---- "And I put it away.

I put it away to-night, forever." She did not speak; stood quite quiet, her head bent on her breast.