at from your own lips. I feel that in a manner his courage,
above all his death, have redeemed my father's fault. It shows that
we're not rotten to the core, and it gives me back my self-respect. I
feel I can look the world in the face once more. I'm infinitely grateful
to George. He's repaid me ten thousand times for all my love, and my
care, and my anxiety.'

'I'm very glad that it is not only grief I have brought you. I was
afraid you would hate me.'

Lucy blushed, and there was a new light in her eyes. It seemed that on a
sudden she had cast away the load of her unhappiness.

'No, I could never do that.'

At that moment they heard the sound of a carriage stopping at the door.

'There's Aunt Alice,' said Lucy. 'She's been lunching out.'

'Then let me go,' said Alec. 'You must forgive me, but I feel that I
want to see no one else to-day.'

He rose, and she gave him her hand. He held it firmly.

'You haven't changed?'

'Don't,' she cried.

She looked away, for once more the tears were coming to her eyes. She
tried to laugh.

'I'm frightfully weak and emotional now. You'll utterly despise me.'

'I want to see you again very soon,' he said.

The words of Ruth came to her mind: _Why have I found grace in thine
eyes, that thou shouldst take knowledge of me_, and her heart was very
full. She smiled in her old charming way.

When he was gone she drew a long breath. It seemed that a new joy was
come into her life, and on a sudden she felt a keen pleasure in all the
beauty of the world. She turned to the great bowl of flowers which stood
on a table by the chair in which she had been sitting, and burying her
face in them, voluptuously inhaled their fragrance. She knew that he
loved her still.

XIV

The fickle English weather for once belied its reputation, and the whole
month of May was warm and fine. It seemed that the springtime brought
back Lucy's youth to her; and, surrendering herself with all her heart
to her new happiness, she took a girlish pleasure in the gaieties of the
season. Alec had said nothing yet, but she was assured of his love, and
she gave herself up to him with all the tender strength of her nature.
She was a little overwhelmed at the importance which he seemed to have
acquired, but she was very proud as well. The great ones of the earth
were eager to do him honour. Papers were full of his praise. And it
delighted her because he came to her for protection from lionising
friends.