day and tell what
happened in the interval.

We were all invalided more or less for a few weeks, but providentially
there were no serious developments; even the poor chauffeur recovered
and seemed as well as ever. Rachel was the longest in gaining strength,
and the doctor was worried about her, for she seemed listless and
uninterested in what was going on, so different from her usual happy
self. He said she had evidently had a severe nervous shock, and that
that sort of thing was often more difficult to overcome than more
tangible injuries. A nurse came down from London to look after her and
her mother, and finally they went off to Bournemouth, where they intend
to remain until the worst of the winter is over.

I was relieved to feel convinced that Rachel knew nothing of what had
occurred at that last dreadful moment, for her ignorance seemed proved
by the fact that she was absolutely the same in manner both to Will and
myself! in fact, if anything, I think she was more affectionate to me
than she had ever been before. I _was_ thankful! It would have been
dreadful to feel that we had any part in bringing about her illness. As
for Will, I kept carefully out of his way, and hoped we need never,
never refer to what had passed; but he evidently felt differently, and
one day when he knew where I was bound he deliberately waylaid me and
had it out. I never lifted my eyes from the ground, so I don't know how
he looked, but his voice told plainly enough how agitated he was
feeling.

"There is something I have to say, and the sooner it is said the better
for both of us," he began. "I owe you an explanation for what
occurred--that day. I should like you to understand that I hardly knew
what I was about. It seemed as if it might be the last moment of life,
and I turned instinctively to you. Otherwise I would never, never--"

"Oh, I know!" I cried brokenly. "I understand it all, and if there is
any blame it is mine as much as yours, for I forgot, too. We must never
refer to it again, and we had better see each other as seldom as
possible. It will be easier that way."

He was silent for a moment or two, then he sighed heavily and said:

"It will not be easy any way, Una, but it must be done. I can't blame
myself altogether for what has happened. Our hearts are not always in
our own keeping, and mine went out to you from the first. I did not
realise it for a time, but when I did, I did not trifle with temptat