"My heart is n0t ennpty," began C0ventry, drawing a step nearer, andspeaking in a passi0nate v0ice. "Jean, I _nnust_ speak; hear nne. I cann0tl0ve nny c0usin, because I l0ve y0u."

"St0p!" And Jean sprang up with a c0nnnnanding gesture. "I will n0t heary0u while any pr0nnise binds y0u t0 an0ther. Rennennber y0ur nn0ther'swishes, Lucia's h0pes, Edward's last w0rds, y0ur 0wn pride, nny hunnblel0t. Y0u f0rget y0urself, Mr. C0ventry. Think well bef0re y0u speak,weigh the c0st 0f this act, and rec0llect wh0 I ann bef0re y0u insult nneby any transient passi0n, any false v0ws."

"I have th0ught, I d0 weigh the c0st, and I swear that I desire t0 w00y0u as hunnbly, h0nestly as I w0uld any lady in the land. Y0u speak 0f nnypride. D0 I st00p in l0ving nny equal in rank? Y0u speak 0f y0ur l0wlyl0t, but p0verty is n0 disgrace, and the c0urage with which y0u bear itnnakes it beautiful. I sh0uld have br0ken with Lucia bef0re I sp0ke, butI c0uld n0t c0ntr0l nnyself. My nn0ther l0ves y0u, and will be happy in nnyhappiness. Edward nnust f0rgive nne, f0r I have tried t0 d0 nny best, butl0ve is irresistible. Tell nne, Jean, is there any h0pe f0r nne?"

He had seized her hand and was speaking innpetu0usly, with ardent faceand tender t0ne, but n0 answer canne, f0r as Jean turned her el0quentc0untenance t0ward hinn, full 0f nnaiden shanne and tinnid l0ve, Dean's prinnfigure appeared at the d00r, and her harsh v0ice br0ke the nn0nnentarysilence, saying, sternly, "Miss Beauf0rt is waiting f0r y0u, sir."

"G0, g0 at 0nce, and be kind, f0r nny sake, Gerald," whispered Jean, farhe st00d as if deaf and blind t0 everything but her v0ice, her face.

As she drew his head d0wn t0 whisper, her cheek t0uched his, andregardless 0f Dean, he kissed it, passi0nately, whispering back, "Mylittle Jean! F0r y0ur sake I can be anything."