"
In measured tones he uttered this information, and it did not seem
possible that the man was uttering a deliberate lie.
Rose moved uneasily in her seat.
His dark eyes, full of an intense love-light, were fixed on her face.
He saw that his falsehood was having its effect.
"You no doubt wonder why you haven't heard of this sooner. You must
remember that I have failed to gain an audience with you since that
hour."
"August, are you speaking the truth?"
Her face was ghastly white, and her full bosom rose and fell with the
violence of her inward emotions.
"If you doubt, I am ready to swear it," he cried, sinking to her feet
once more, bowing his head as a subject might to his sovereign.
"No, no," she cried suddenly. "Rise up, August. Heaven help me and _you_
if this is a deception. I can do no other way than to believe."
He uttered a glad cry and pressed her hands to his lips, covering it with
kisses.
She sat like one in a dream, unresisting, feeling a portion of bliss, yet
filled with a vague alarm that was far from pleasant.
"And now I shall not fear to brave the world, and proclaim and prove my
innocence," he cried boldly, coming to his feet.
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