powers would otherwise have given me was quelled by a something in
the tone in which she spoke.

'And he is powerful in every way,' she went on, as if talking to
herself. 'He is a great rich Englishman to whom (as auntie was never
tired of saying) that childish betrothal must needs seem a dream--a
quaint and pretty dream.'

'And so your aunt said that, Winnie. How far from the truth she was
you see to-night.'

'Yes, she thought you would forget all about me; and yet she could
not have felt quite confident about it, for she made me promise that
if you should not forget me--if you should ever ask me what you have
just asked--she made me promise--'

'What, Winnie? what? She did not make promise that you would refuse
me?'

'That is what she asked me to promise.'

'But you did not.'

'I did not.'

'No, no! you did not, Winnie. My darling refused to make any such
cruel, monstrous promise as that.'

'But I promised her that I would in such an event wait a year--at
least a year--before betrothing myself to you.'