ut fear. He is worthy.

Do not trouble your great heart for me. I shall find my work in a
world that is so full of people--work and friends, too. We cannot
be together, you and I, but remember always that I am not far from
you wherever I may go, never so far that any need of yours will not
reach me.

JACQUES.

She gave this letter, silently, to Philip, but he did not offer her his
own. There were things his father had said to him in farewell not meant
for other eyes to read; and for a long time they left him awed and
silent.

CHAPTER XIV

Kate made the long drive back to Storm, which was to have been her
wedding journey, with Philip beside her. They rarely spoke. Conversation
was never necessary between them, and now both were busy with their
thoughts. She drove, sitting erect as was her custom, her hands very
light upon the lines, steadying the young horses now and then with a
word, never urging or hurrying them; yet after a few coltish alarms and
excursions they settled down to their work with a long, steady trot that
ate up the miles like magic.--It was always a pleasure to Philip to see
her drive. It was her great gift, he thought, settling men and horses
alike to their stride.

They stopped for the nooning at a farmhouse where they were expected,
and where their hostess met them eagerly at the gate. But when she saw
who was Kate's companion, her face fell, and she hurried to her
dining-room to remove from the table a large cake, decorated in candy
roses. She asked no questions. There was that in the Madam's face which
made questioning impossible.

After the meal and a brief rest for the horses, they drove on, still in
silence, the colts trotting steadily now like old, sedate roadsters.
Philip's thoughts were still too chaotic for speech. Disappointment,
sorrow for his father, admiration, struggled with an unwilling relief, a
secret gladness that made him sick with shame.

"Poor father! What am I thinking of!" he said to himself, angrily. "He
may be ill, he may be without money. Why did I not ask more questions?
Oh, I must find him somehow, I must! And yet--What a solution! She is
here beside me. He will not take her from me. How did he know? I shall
never have to call her 'mother.' He gives her to me. His whole life has
been a sacrifice. What was it he wrote--'We must consider nothing now
except her happiness, you and I, except her greatest good.' I wonder, I
wonder-