"There shall be," she cried, angrily, starting up. "I consider the engagement at an end. I release you! Now, go and marry Beatrix Dane; but my opinion is, that you will rue the day that you were guilty of such mad folly! Good-bye, Keith Kenyon, may you be as happy as you deserve!"
But as she left the room, her face working convulsively, her breath coming in broken gasps, she was whispering softly to herself:
"He shall never marry her--never! I swear that, come what may, Keith Kenyon shall be mine! It is the one object of my life. I shall not give it up without a struggle!"
But slowly and surely the hour was coming when Serena Lynne would be forced to say that all hope was vain.
That very day Keith made up his mind to take a decisive step. He would make Beatrix his wife at once--privately--and then no matter what might happen, she would have him to defend and protect her. And nothing should ever part them, nothing could ever come between them save death. The more he thought of it the more determined did he grow. At last he rose and made his way slowly out into the grounds, lying fair and green in the wintry sunshine as though it were spring. Still weak, Keith felt the balmy air revive him and strengthen him, and found that after a little he was able to walk quite well.
Down in a pretty honeysuckle bower he found Beatrix sitting on a rustic seat, pale and silent. She looked as if she had been crying.
The sound of his voice made an electric thrill run over her. She started to her feet.
"Is it really you--out at last?" she cried. "Oh, Keith! I am so glad!"
He took her hands in his and drew her head down so that he could look into her eyes.
"Sweetheart," he whispered, tenderly, "I want you to be my wife at once--without any delay. Listen. There is nothing between Serena Lynne and me--absolutely nothing--believe me, darling. Now this is my plan: I will send today and procure the license; tomorrow we will drive in the carriage to a clergyman's house--the drive will do me good--and you shall come back my little wife. Then no one can part us--never, while we live. Will you consent, Beatrix?"
The beautiful dark eyes wavered from before his eager, passionate gaze; she trembled like a leaf.