mortification of going back to be a burden on
my friends. The only complaint I have to make is, I think, a just one.
Mr. Armadale has been back at Thorpe Ambrose for some days. I have
entreated him, by letter, to grant me an interview; to tell me what
dreadful suspicions he has of me, and to let me set myself right in his
estimation. Would you believe it? He has declined to see me--under the
influence of others, not of his own free will, I am sure! Cruel,
isn't it? But he has even used me more cruelly still; he persists in
suspecting me; it is he who is having me watched. Oh, Mr. Midwinter,
don't hate me for telling you what you _must_ know! The man you found
persecuting me and frightening me to-night was only earning his money,
after all, as Mr. Armadale's spy."

Once more Midwinter started to his feet; and this time the thoughts that
were in him found their way into words.

"I can't believe it; I won't believe it!" he exclaimed, indignantly. "If
the man told you that, the man lied. I beg your pardon, Miss Gwilt; I
beg your pardon from the bottom of my heart. Don't, pray don't think I
doubt _you_; I only say there is some dreadful mistake. I am not sure
that I understand as I ought all that you have told me. But this last
infamous meanness of which you think Allan guilty, I _do_ understand.
I swear to you, he is incapable of it! Some scoundrel has been taking
advantage of him; some scoundrel has been using his name. I'll prove
it to you, if you will only give me time. Let me go and clear it up at
once. I can't rest; I can't bear to think of it; I can't even enjoy the
pleasure of being here. Oh," he burst out desperately, "I'm sure you
feel for me, after what you have said--I feel so for _you_!"

He stopped in confusion. Miss Gwilt's eyes were looking at him again,
and Miss Gwilt's hand had found its way once more into his own.

"You are the most generous of living men," she said, softly. "I will
believe what you tell me to believe. Go," she added, in a whisper,
suddenly releasing his hand, and turning away from him. "For both our
sakes, go!"

His heart beat fast; he looked at her as she dropped into a chair and
put her handkerchief to her eyes. For one moment he hesitated; the next,
he snatched up his knapsack from the floor, and left her precipitately,
without a backward look or a parting word.

She rose when the door closed on him. A change came over her the instant
she was alone. The color faded out of her che