m disgraced for
ever." And this brought them to a dead halt.

When he came to this point I remembered the diabolical accuracy of
Gedge's story.

Boyce said: "There is one usual reason why a man should marry a woman
to save her from disgrace. Is that the reason?"

She said "Yes."

The light went out of the man's life.

"In that case," said he, "there can be no question about it. I will
marry you. But why didn't you tell me before?"

She said she did not know. She made the faltering excuses of the driven
girl. They walked on together and sat on the great bar of the lock
gates.

"Till then," said he, "I had never known what it was to have death in
my heart. But I swear to God, Meredyth, I played my part like a man. I
had done a dastardly thing. There was nothing left for me but to make
reparation. In a few moments I tore my life asunder. The girl I had
wronged was to be the mother of my child. I accepted the situation. I
was as kind to her as I could be. She laid her head on my shoulder and
cried, and I put my arm around her. I felt my heart going out to her in
remorse and pity and tenderness. A man must be a devil who could feel
otherwise.... Our lives were bound up together.... I kissed her and she
clung to me. Then we talked for a while--ways and means.... It was time
to go back. We rose. And then--Meredyth--this is what she said:

"'You swear to marry me?'

"'I swear it,' said I.

"'In spite of anything?'

"I gave my promise. She put her arms round my neck.

"'What I've told you is not wholly true. But the moral disgrace is
there all the time.'

"I took her wrists and disengaged myself and held her and looked at her.

"'What do you mean--not wholly true?' I asked.

"My God! I shall never forget it." He stuck both his elbows on the bed
and clutched his hair and turned his black glasses wide of me. "The
child crumpled up. She seemed to shrivel like a leaf in the fire. She
said:

"'I've tried to lie to you, but I can't. I can't. Pity me and forgive
me.'

"I started back from her in a sudden fury. I could not forgive her.
Think of the awful revulsion of feeling. Foolishly tricked! I was mad
with anger. I walked away and left her. I must have walked ten or
fifteen yards. Then I heard a splash in the water. I turned. She was no
longer on the bank. I ran up. I heard a cry. I just saw her sinking.
AND I COULDN'T MOVE. As God hears me, it is true. I knew I must dive in
and rescue her--I had run up with e