We were thrown together at a time when he
was depressed and lonely, otherwise the engagement could never have
happened. It was a great mistake, but it is over now, and he must not
suffer from its consequences. I am going away, but I shall wait to hear
of his happiness, and I hope it may come soon."

Our eyes met. I looked at her steadily, and the colour rose in her
cheeks and spread up to the roots of her hair. She shrank back in her
chair and put up her hands as if to ward me off, but I just sank on my
knees before them and held them tightly in mine.

"Oh, Rachel!" I cried. "I know, I know! You can't deceive me, dear.
You have done this for our sakes, not your own. Oh, I hoped you had
been too much engrossed to notice what happened that day. When you said
nothing about it, I was so relieved and thankful, for truly, Rachel, it
was only an impulse. Nothing of the sort had ever happened before--not
a word or a look to which you could have objected. You believe that,
don't you, dear? Say you believe it."

Her fingers tightened round mine.

"Indeed, indeed, I do! You have been all that is true and loyal, and so
has Will. There is no one to blame but myself. I knew from the first
that he was attracted to you, and that you suited him better than I
could ever do; but I shut my eyes--I did not want to see. Don't be
sorry for what happened; it is a great blessing for us all that I was
not allowed to deceive myself any longer. You say it was only an
impulse. Ah, Una, but the impulse which made him turn to you and forget
me is too clear a warning to be neglected. It showed how his heart lay
better than any deliberate action."

I could not deny it. I did not want to deny it, deeply as I felt for
her suffering. I laid my head in her lap, so that she should not see my
face, and begged her to forgive me.

"I feel such a wretch to take my happiness at the expense of yours. You
are an angel, Rachel, to be so sweet and forgiving. I should be a fury
of rage and jealousy if I were in your place, but you give it all up
without a murmur."

She smiled at that--such a sad little smile.

"I have nothing to give. It was yours all the time. When I found that
out, I could not be mean enough to hold an empty claim. I never meant
you to know my real reason, but since you have found it out for
yourself, you must promise me not to let it interfere with Will's
happiness. Don't let me feel that he has to suffer any m