He drew a handsome ring, of quaint and curious workmanship which he had bought in Venice, from his finger, and before Evadne could recover from her astonishment, had thrust it upon hers.  “See, you are mine, darling.  Now let us seal the compact with a kiss.”

“Louis, you are dreaming!  This can never be!” She struggled to free her hand but he held her fingers in a grasp of steel.

“It shall be, my sweet little Puritan!  Do you suppose I will ever give you up now?  I tell you I love you, Evadne!  Love you as I never thought I should ever love a woman.  Why, you can twist me around your finger.  I am like water in your hands.”

“Louis, please listen!” implored Evadne, with a white, strained face.  “This is utterly impossible, for—­I do not love you.”

“I will teach you, dear,” said Louis cheerfully.  “I know I have been a brute, but I will show you how gentle I can be.”

“Louis!” cried Evadne desperately, “you must let me go!  I will never do this thing!”

She pulled vainly at the ring as she spoke.  Louis’ grasp never relaxed.  When he spoke she was frightened at the recklessness of his tone.

“Take that ring off your finger and I go straight to the devil!  You say you want to win my soul.  Here is your chance.  You can make of me what you will.  I own there is something in your Christianity.  I can’t help sneering when I see Isabelle and Marion playing at it, but I have never sneered at you.  Now, take your choice.  Shall the devil have his own?”

His voice was quiet but she could see he was laboring under intense excitement.  Evadne was in despair.  What should she do?  Only that morning Dr. Russe had said to her,—­

“It is not the injury he sustained in the fall that worries me.  He will get over that.  But the shock to the nervous system has been tremendous.  Humor him in everything and avoid the least excitement, as you value his life.”

She leaned over him and said gently,—­“Dear Louis, you are not strong enough to talk any more to-day.  I will wear the ring a little while to please you, but remember, this other thing you want can never be.”

He looked up at her, his face pallid with exhaustion, “Promise me,” he said faintly, “that the ring shall stay on your finger until I take it off.”

And Evadne promised.

CHAPTER XXVI.

Three years had slipped away and Evadne still wore her cousin’s ring.  A great tenderness was growing up in her heart toward him.  She yearned over him as only those can understand who know what it is to carry the burden of souls upon their hearts by night and day but no thought of love ever crossed her mind.  To Evadne Hildreth, love was a wonderfully sacred thing.  The ring fretted her and she longed to be freed from its presence, but Louis held her to her promise.  If he only waited long enough, he persuaded himself, his patience would be rewarded.  Some day this shy, sweet bird would nestle against his heart.  In the meantime he would keep the ungenerous advantage which his illness had given him.  He forgot that it needs more to tame a bird than merely putting it in a cage!