Stella returned unwillingly and wearily.

"My head aches and my heart aches," she said.

"Let me go away to my bed." "I don't like you to go away, wronging Romayne perhaps in your thoughts," said Lady Loring.

"And, more than that, for the sake of your own happiness, you ought to judge for yourself if this devoted love of yours may ever hope to win its reward.

It is time, and more than time, that you should decide whether it is good for you to see Romayne again.
Have you courage enough to do that ?" "Yes--if I am convinced that it ought to be done." "Nothing would make me so happy," Lady Loring resumed, "as to know that you were one day, my dear, to be his wife.