nce for her youth, her
nature, even the circumstances under which she spoke. You have told me
that she was in some deep grief or trouble. May it not have been that
this in itself unnerved her, distorted her views, aroused her passion
till all within and around was tinged with the jaundice of her concern,
her humiliation--whatever it was that destroyed for the time that normal
self which you had known so long. May it not have been that her
bitterest memory even since may be of the speaking of these very words
which sent you out into the wide world to hide yourself from men. I have
thought, waking and sleeping, of your position ever since you honoured me
with your confidence; and with every hour the conviction has strengthened
in me that there is a way out of this situation which sends a man like
you into solitude with a heart hopeless and full of pain; and which
leaves her perhaps in greater pain, for she has not like you the complete
sense of innocence. But at present there is no way out but through time
and thought. Whatever may be her ideas or wishes she is powerless. She
does not know your thoughts, no matter how she may guess at them. She
does not know where you are or how to reach you, no matter how complete
her penitence may be. And oh! my dear young friend, remember that you
are a strong man, and she is a woman. Only a woman in her passion and
her weakness after all. Think this all over, my poor boy! You will have
time and opportunity where you are going. God help you to judge wisely!'
After a pause of a few seconds he said abruptly: 'Good night!' and moved
quickly away.

* * * * *

When the time for parting came Pearl was inconsolable. Not knowing any
reason why The Man should not do as she wished she was persistent in her
petitions to Harold that he should come with her, and to her father and
mother that they should induce him to do so. Mrs. Stonehouse would have
wished him to join them if only for a time. Her husband, unable to give
any hint without betraying confidence, had to content himself with trying
to appease his little daughter by vague hopes rather than promises that
her friend would join them at some other time.

When the _Scoriac_ was warped at the pier there was a tendency on the
part of the passengers to give Harold a sort of public send-off; but
becoming aware of it he hurried down the gangway without waiting. Having
only hand luggage, for he was to get his equipment in New Yor