r best
feelings."

Reckage was very touched by this tribute.

"And _her_ best feelings," said he, "ought to make us--at our best--very
humble."

Pensee lifted her veil just above her eyes, clasped her hands tightly
together, and kept her earnest glance full upon his.

"I believe," she continued, "that if it were in man, or woman, to
command the heart, you would have her entire affection. I believe she is
unhappy. During the last week she has had many ups and downs. She has
passed with astonishing rapidity from the lowest despair to the height
of joy. She has tried to distract her mind by incessant occupation. But
you know her manner--it is transparent near the surface, difficult to
sound in its depths."

"Yes, she has a childlike openness--up to a certain point."

"I can only tell you, therefore, what I think, judging as a woman, by
outward signs. I seem to detect a sort of self-doubt--as though she
feared making some error. She has become of late strangely intense and
vivid--she is fascinated by books, and drawn to music, as she never was
before. Perhaps she sees that you give her a priceless, beautiful
friendship which must indeed be flattering. Yet--yet in marriage
friendship is not enough. So she is acquiring a stock of interests which
are impersonal."

Loyalty to Agnes forbade any reference to David Rennes. She had no
intention of giving the least hint of her own private conviction on the
subject. She desired merely that Reckage should learn how the engagement
might be broken off without giving unimaginable grief to the young lady.
The move under this aspect was skilful and successful. Reckage received
her words as a subtle appeal to his honour and kindness.

He said at once--

"I am glad you have told me this. I could bear my own mistakes. I could
not bear hers. Let me look at the step which I have taken! The choice is
for life. Agnes is inflexibly conscientious and self-denying. Several
years of attachment have tried us both. She knows my faults; I know
where her"--he paused for a moment--"her qualities might clash with
mine. We spoke of this together; we considered every circumstance that
could, by any remote chance, weigh against our common happiness."

Pensee shook her head.

"Of course, that was right," she said doubtfully.

"It is no easy matter to get a promise from Agnes," he went on; "but
when once given it is inviolate. This throws a grisly responsibility
upon me. I must risk everything,