If I ever seemed hard, or cold, or coquettish to you in the old days, it was because I loved you, Jack, too well to mar your future by linking it with my own.

I always loved you, dear Jack, even when I seemed least worthy of you.

That is gone now.

But I had a dream lately, Jack, a foolish woman's dream--that you might find what I lacked in HER," and she glanced lovingly at the sleeping girl at her side; "that you might love her as you have loved me.

But even that is not to be, Jack, is it ?" and she glanced wistfully in his face.