“ ’Tis no matter,” stammered Carstares. “I⁠—only⁠—’twas but that I could not find it. Pray do not disturb yourself!”

“Oh⁠—not⁠—at all,” she answered, scattering a handful of letters before her. “Yes⁠—here ’tis.” She came up to him with the note in her hand, extending it.

Carstares looked down at the golden head, and at the little face with its eyes cast down, and red mouth set so wistfully. Heavens, how could he bear to live without her! Mechanically he took the letter.

Lavinia turned away, and as she stepped from him something snapped in Richard’s brain. The luckless invitation was flung down.

“No, by God you shall not!” he cried suddenly.

Lavinia stopped, trembling.

“Oh⁠—oh, what do you mean?” she fluttered.