Or the look--which startled Claude, albeit he was no coward--might have been only the natural expression of one, who suspected what was afoot between them and came to mar it.

Whatever it meant, the girl's cry of dismay found an echo on Claude's lips.

Involuntarily he dropped her hands; but--and the action was symbolical of the change in her life--he stepped at the same moment between her and the door.

Whatever she had done, right or wrong, was his concern now..