"Forgive me! You are too proud, Maruja, to admit, even to yourself, that you have given your heart where your hand and fortune could not follow.

But others may not think so.

I am proud, too, and will not have it said that I have won you before I was worthy of you." "You have no right to be more proud than I, sir," she said, rising to her feet, with a touch of her old supreme assertion.

"No--don't, Harry--please, Harry--there!" Nevertheless, she succumbed; and, when she went on, it was with her head resting on his shoulder.

"It's this deceit and secrecy that is so shameful, Harry.