Fitzpiers was now uneasy. "You say your betrothed lover still," he
rejoined. "When, then, were you betrothed to him, or engaged, as we
common people say?"
"When you were away."
"How could that be?"
Grace would have avoided this; but her natural candor led her on. "It
was when I was under the impression that my marriage with you was about
to be annulled, and that he could then marry me. So I encouraged him
to love me."
Fitzpiers winced visibly; and yet, upon the whole, she was right in
telling it. Indeed, his perception that she was right in her absolute
sincerity kept up his affectionate admiration for her under the pain of
the rebuff. Time had been when the avowal that Grace had deliberately
taken steps to replace him would have brought him no sorrow. But she
so far dominated him now that he could not bear to hear her words,
although the object of her high regard was no more.
"It is rough upon me--that!" he said, bitterly. "Oh, Grace--I did not
know you--tried to get rid of me! I suppose it is of no use, but I
ask, cannot you hope to--find a little love in your heart for me again?"
"If I could I would oblige you; but I fear I cannot!" she replied, with
illogical ruefulness. "And I don't see why you should mind my having
had one lover besides yourself in my life, when you have had so many."
"But I can tell you honestly that I love you better than all of them
put together, and that's what you will not tell me!"
"I am sorry; but I fear I cannot," she said, sighing again.
"I wonder if you ever will?" He looked musingly into her indistinct
face, as if he would read the future there. "Now have pity, and tell
me: will you try?"
"To love you again?"
"Yes; if you can."
"I don't know how to reply," she answered, her embarrassment proving
her truth. "Will you promise to leave me quite free as to seeing you
or not seeing you?"
"Certainly. Have I given any ground for you to doubt my first promise
in that respect?"
She was obliged to admit that he had not.
"Then I think that you might get your heart out of that grave," said
he, with playful sadness. "It has been there a long time."