"No!" she cried, "no, dear, don't! oh, please don't!" "Why, darling?
Why mayn't I caress my own love,--my promised wife ?" "Oh, no,--I'm not! I can never be your wife! I'm--I'm not worthy!" "Hush!" and Van Reypen closed her lips with a tender kiss.

"Hush, Azalea, never use the words worthy or unworthy between us.

Our love makes us worthy of each other, whatever we may be otherwise." "Stop,--please stop! Every word you say makes it harder! I can't stand it! It's too dreadful.

Let me go,--oh, _please_, let me go!" Shuddering as with some great fear, Azalea slipped from his arms and ran away.

He heard her steps as she went upstairs, and heard a door close,--evidently she had flown to her own room.
Greatly perplexed, Phil went in search of Patty.
"Help me out," he said, in a low tone.