eloquent pressure. Vere never does things by
halves, and even her apologies are graceful and pretty.

"Ah, Rachel," she said, "I see how foolish I was to expect you to answer
my question in a few short words. We speak different languages, you and
I, and I can't even understand your meaning. I wish I could, Rachel--I
wish I could! The old life is out of reach, and there is nothing left
to take its place. Can't you teach me your secret to help me along?"

Rachel flushed all over her face and neck. Now that she was asked a
direct question she was obliged to answer, but her voice was very shy
and quiet, as if the subject were almost too sacred to be discussed.

"I think the secret lies in the way we look at life--whether we want our
own way, or are content to accept what God sends. If we love and trust
Him, we know that what He chooses must be best, and with that knowledge
comes rest, and the end of the struggle--"

"Ah," sighed Vere, "but it's not the end with me! I believe it, too,
with my head, but when the pain comes on, and the sleepless nights, and
the unbearable restlessness that is worst of all--I forget! I can't
rest, I _can't_ trust, it is all blackness and darkness. I must be very
wicked, for even when I try hardest I fail."

"Dear Vere," said Rachel softly, "don't be too hard on yourself! When
people are tired and worn with suffering they are not responsible for
all they say and do. I know that with my own dear father. When he is
cross and unreasonable we are not angry, we understand and pity, and try
to comfort him, and if we feel like that, poor imperfect creatures as we
are, what must God be, Who is the very heart of love! He is your
kindest judge, dear, for He knows how hard it is to bear."

"Thank you!" whispered Vere brokenly. She put her hand up to her face,
and I could see her tremble. She could not bear any more agitation just
then, so I signalled to Rachel, and we gradually turned the conversation
to ordinary topics.

Eventually Will arrived, and we had tea and some rather strained small
talk, for Vere was quiet and absent-minded, and somehow or other Will
rarely speaks to me directly nowadays. He is always perfectly nice and
polite, but he does avoid me. I don't think he likes me half as much as
he did at first.

How suddenly things happen in life! At the moment when you expect it
least, the scene changes, and the whole future is changed. As we were
sipping our tea and eat