"
"It's true I owe him a debt of gratitude, deeper than you know," I
answered. "He is worth trusting--worth saving, at the expense of almost
any sacrifice. But I can't sacrifice the man I love for him."
She looked thoughtful. "You say the man you were engaged to was at your
house while Ivor was there?"
"Yes. He came then. I hid Ivor, and I lied."
"He suspected that someone was with you? He stood watching, outside your
gate?"
"He confessed that, when I'd made him repent his jealousy. Why do you
ask? You saw him?"
"I think so. Tell me, Mademoiselle de Renzie, did he lose anything of
value near your house?"
"Great heavens, yes!" I cried. "What do you know of that?"
"I know--something. Enough, maybe, to help you to find the thing for
him--if you will promise to help Ivor."
"Oh, shame," I cried violently, sick of bargains and promises. "You are
trying to bribe me!"
"Yes, but I am not ashamed," the girl answered, holding her head high.
"I have not the thing which was lost; but I can get it for you--this
very night or to-morrow morning, if you will do what I ask."
"I tell you I cannot," I said. "Not even to get back that thing whose
loss was the beginning of all my misery.
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