sisterly sort of affection in the absence of any person who might
have awakened her real sensibilities. Greif's masculine nature
was not satisfied, for it craved a more active response, as a lad
watches for the widening ripples when he has dropped a pebble
into a placid pool. An irresistible desire to know the truth
overcame Greif.
" Are you quite sure of yourself, sweetheart ? " he asked softly.
"Of what?"

" That you really love me. Do you know — "

Before he could finish the question Hilda was looking into
his face, with an expression he had never seen before. He
stopped short, surprised at the effect of his own words. Hilda
was very angry, perhaps for the first time in her whole life.
The brightness of her eyes almost startled him, and there was
a slight contraction of the brows that gave her features a look
of amazing power. Greif even fancied that, for once, her cheek
was a shade paler than usual.
"You do not know what you say," she answered very slowly.
