"But--I don't quite understand----" "No, possibly not," he interrupted; "I know I have not the art of making myself very clear in matters which deeply and personally affect myself.
I have nerves still, and some remnant of a heart,--these occasionally trouble me----" She leaned forward and put her delicately gloved hand on his.
"Dear King David!" she murmured.

"You are always so good!" He took the little fingers in his own clasp and held them gently.
"I want to ask you a question, Lucy," he said; "and it is a very difficult question, because I feel that your answer to it may mean a great sorrow for me,--a great disappointment.

The question is the 'test' I speak of.

Shall I put it to you ?" "Please do!" she answered, her heart beginning to beat violently.

He was coming to the point at last, she thought, and a few words more would surely make her the future mistress of the Helmsley millions! "If I can answer it I will!" "Shall I ask you my question, or shall I not ?" he went on, gripping her hand hard, and half raising himself in his chair as he looked intently at her telltale face.