“I can see by the manner in which you act that you know what I want to say to you.  It is also plain to me that you would rather not hear me,” he said, after a moment.

“Please do not say it,” she entreated, and he saw the little hope that he had been nourishing dashed away.

“I did not dream until a few moments ago that you had discerned my love for you, Miss Ridge, but I am not sorry that I have been so transparent.  How you have guessed my secret I cannot imagine.  I tried to keep it from you,” he said, as if he had wounded her.  “Perhaps your brother told you.”

She was on the point of telling him that Hugh was not her brother, but something checked the impulse and she could only answer by shaking her head.

“You told me that you expect to marry another man, but that has not kept me from telling you that I love you, nor will it prevent me from trying to win your love.  Pride, if nothing else, has kept my lips sealed, for what right have I to ask any woman to share my lot?  In sheer humiliation I must tell you that my life looks like a failure to me.  I have a hard struggle ahead of me.  You may say that I am young and strong, but I cannot, for my soul, see anything bright ahead.”  His voice trembled and she glanced up at his face.  He was looking at the diamond that sparkled on her left hand.

“You have no right to say that life is a failure; you have no right to lie down on your arms and give, up the fight.  That is the act of a coward.  After all, it is not the way to win a woman’s love.”

“You don’t mean—­is it possible that you could—­” he began.

“No, no!  You must not hope.  I love another as dearly as you love me.  But I will not have you say that you cannot succeed in life.  I know you are strong, and I know you are determined.  There is nothing impossible to you,” she said hurriedly, seeking feverishly to draw him from his purpose.  “When first we met you were cheerful and hopeful, strong and full of life.  Then some one came into your life and you saw a black cloud of despair arise.  It came up easily and you can drive it away just as easily.  It is not of your nature to give up, I know.  You can win fame and fortune and the love of some one much worthier than I.”

“If I live to be a thousand I shall love none as I love you,” he said simply.  “If you loved me I could win against all the world.  Your wealth is a natural barrier between poor love and rich pride, both true possessions of mine.  But for the latter the former would win.  Can you understand?” he asked almost vehemently.

“I—­I—­no, I do not understand you,” she said panic-stricken.  His eyes were flashing again in the same old way and his voice, low pitched, had a gallant ring.

“I mean I’d win your love and I’d make you my wife.”

“Mr. Veath!  How can you—­how dare you—­” she began, arising indignantly, yet a trifle carried away by his impetuous manner.  Her heart was thumping tumultuously and she dared not look into his eyes.