CHAPTER XVI.

REVEALS THE BARRIER Edris sat staring blankly in front of her. Her breath came and went in short, quick gasps, and he saw that her small, white hands were trembling. She seemed startled, even afraid. Her lips moved, but no sound came from them. His declaration was so unexpected that she sat dazed. “Edris,” he exclaimed, as, with sudden impulse, he fell upon one knee and, taking her hand, raised it to his lips. “I--I want to tell you, darling, that ever since that day in Wengen when I was indiscreet enough to tell y…