ersevere, when I mention that it tried even My discipline before I
could devour my own righteous indignation in silence. At the same time,
it is only justice to myself to add, that I didn't lose a syllable of
the conversation. Rachel was the next to speak.

"You have made your confession," she said. "I wonder whether it would
cure you of your unhappy attachment to me, if I made mine?"

He started. I confess I started too. He thought, and I thought, that she
was about to divulge the mystery of the Moonstone.

"Would you think, to look at me," she went on, "that I am the
wretchedest girl living? It's true, Godfrey. What greater wretchedness
can there be than to live degraded in your own estimation? That is my
life now."

"My dear Rachel! it's impossible you can have any reason to speak of
yourself in that way!"

"How do you know I have no reason?"

"Can you ask me the question! I know it, because I know you. Your
silence, dearest, has never lowered you in the estimation of your true
friends. The disappearance of your precious birthday gift may seem
strange; your unexplained connection with that event may seem stranger
still."

"Are you speaking of the Moonstone, Godfrey----"

"I certainly thought that you referred----"

"I referred to nothing of the sort. I can hear of the loss of the
Moonstone, let who will speak of it, without feeling degraded in my own
estimation. If the story of the Diamond ever comes to light, it will be
known that I accepted a dreadful responsibility; it will be known that I
involved myself in the keeping of a miserable secret--but it will be
as clear as the sun at noon-day that I did nothing mean! You have
misunderstood me, Godfrey. It's my fault for not speaking more plainly.
Cost me what it may, I will be plainer now. Suppose you were not in love
with me? Suppose you were in love with some other woman?"

"Yes?"

"Suppose you discovered that woman to be utterly unworthy of you?
Suppose you were quite convinced that it was a disgrace to you to waste
another thought on her? Suppose the bare idea of ever marrying such a
person made your face burn, only with thinking of it."

"Yes?"

"And, suppose, in spite of all that--you couldn't tear her from your
heart? Suppose the feeling she had roused in you (in the time when you
believed in her) was not a feeling to be hidden? Suppose the love this
wretch had inspired in you? Oh, how can I find words to say it in! How
can I make a MAN underst