ill, and think over things." Yet she was sensible of a singular
impatience of delay. "Delay might mean so much. Her evil genius might
have foreseen her effort, and resolved thus to defeat it. Harry might
go with her. She might go by herself. Had she not contemplated a
journey to Europe alone?" Until long after midnight she sat
considering the details of her journey--the dress she ought to
wear--the words she ought to say--and, alas! the possibilities of
disappointment.

"No! there must be no delay," she whispered, as at last, weary with
thought, she laid her head on her pillow. "I will go to-morrow, or, at
any rate, on the day following." And with this determination, she fell
asleep.

Just in the gray light before the dawning, she leaped from her bed
like one pursued. She was drenched in the sweat of terror; the very
sheets which had wrapped her were wet with the unhappy dew. To the
window she ran, and threw it open, and leaned far out, and looked up
and down the dim, silent street, sighing heavily, and wringing her
hands like a child in terror, lost and perplexed. It was strange to
see her walk round the room, touch the chairs, the ornaments, lift her
garments, and finally go to the mirror and peer into it at her own
white face.

A few hours later she was in Woodsome, talking to Peter Van Hoosen.
Memories and fears that she could not endure were pressing her so
sorely that she must needs tell them, and there seemed to be no one at
once so strong and so sympathetic as Antony's father. He was listening
to her story with an almost incredulous silence, as with tears and
shame-dyed cheeks, she confessed her many sins and contradictions
against her husband. Peter sat with eyes cast down, but ever and anon
he lifted his searching gaze to the penitent's face; and anger and
pity strove for the mastery.

"I think I was possessed of a devil," she said, and she looked
hopelessly at Peter, with the self-accusation.

"You were possessed of yourself, Rose Van Hoosen; and there is no
greater mystery than to be possessed of self."

"I know. I never cared for Antony's happiness. It was always what I
wanted, and what I thought. That is the reason I must go and tell him
how sorry I am."

"You must go further and higher than Antony. You must feel as David
felt when he cried out to God, 'Against Thee, Thee only, have I
sinned; and done this evil in Thy sight.' It is not Antony, but God,
you will have to answer. You have lived as t