Trudaine waited a third time.

Lomaque looked at his host with perfect steadiness for an instant, then his eyes began to get weak again.

"You seem to have some special interest," he quietly remarked, "if I may say so without offense, in asking me that question." "I deal frankly, at all hazards, with every one," returned Trudaine; "and stranger as you are, I will deal frankly with you.

I acknowledge that I have an interest in asking that question--the dearest, the tenderest of all interests." At those last words, his voice trembled for a moment, but he went on firmly; "from the beginning of my sister's engagement with Danville, I made it my duty not to conceal my own feelings; my conscience and my affection for Rose counseled me to be candid to the last, even though my candor should distress or offend others.

When we first made the acquaintance of Madame Danville, and when I first discovered that her son's attentions to Rose were not unfavorably received, I felt astonished, and, though it cost me a hard effort, I did not conceal that astonishment from my sister--" Lomaque, who had hitherto been all attention, started here, and threw up his hands in amazement.