ood that no one was to
accost her, or speak to her on these occasions, and at other times it
was well known that she was engaged upon the labours of her task.

"And to-morrow we will go back to Durton," said Mr. Western to his
wife.

"Dear Durton, how happy I shall be to see it once again!"

"And how happy I shall be to take you again to see it! But before we
go it is necessary that I should say one thing."

This he spoke in so stern a voice that he almost frightened her. Was
it possible that after all he should find it necessary to refer again
to the little fault which she had so cordially avowed?

"What is it, George?"

"I have made a mistake."

"No, George, no, don't say so. There has been no mistake. A man
should own nothing. I have thought about it and am sure of it."

"Let a man commit no fault, and then what you say will be true. I
made a mistake, and allowed myself to be so governed by it as to
commit a great injustice. I am aware of it, and I trust I may never
repeat it. Such a mistake as that I think that I shall never commit
again. But I did it, and I ask you to forgive me." In answer to this
she could only embrace him and hang upon him, and implore him in
silence to spare her. "So it has been, and I ask your pardon."

"No, George, no; no."

"Will you not pardon me when I ask you?"

"I cannot bring myself to say such a word. You know that it is all
right between us. I cannot speak the word which you shall never be
made to hear. I am the happiest woman now in all England, and you
must not force me to say that which shall in any way lessen my
glory."

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