Story of the Egyptian 303

“Oh, always, always,” she answered, “since I
knew what love was; and it was you who taught
me.

Even in his misery he held his head high with
pride. At least she did love him.

“And then,” Babbie said, hiding her face, “I
‘could not tell you what I was because I knew
you would loathe me. I could only go away.”

She looked at him forlornly through her tears,
and then moved towards the door. He had sunk
upon a stool, his face resting on the table, and it
was her intention to slip away unnoticed. But
he heard the latch rise, and, jumping up, said
sharply, “ Babbie, I cannot give you up.”

She stood in tears, swinging the door uncon-
sciously with her hand.

“Don’t say that you love me still,” she cried ;
and then, letting her hand fall from the door,
added, imploringly, “ Oh, Gavin, do you?”