superstitious veneration is a very great sin, from which she saved them
as long as she kept it. Mamma says of course she knew she ran the risk
of being misunderstood in acting as she did, but she thought it her duty
to run that risk if by that means she could save anything that God had
entrusted to her keeping from being misused. You know what mamma is;
there is nothing she would not do if she thought it right.'

'Yes,' he said again, as though simply admitting that he had heard what
she said.

'So I think we had better not say anything more about it. I know you
will see that it is wisest to say nothing to papa or any one else.
People think so differently about such things that it would only cause
needless argument, and give poor mamma more pain when she has already
suffered so much.'

'You may trust me. I will never mention the matter to your father, or to
any one else. No one shall ever hear of it through me.'

'I was sure that you would see that it is wisest not to; I told mamma
so. When she is better, and you have shown her that you regret having
misunderstood her, we shall all be very happy again.' She held up her
pretty face for a kiss.

No one could see them except the chattering starlings in the church
tower, for they stood in the soft mist between the dewy yew trees and
the red-budding hedge by the vicarage lawn. The beech trees stretched
out their graceful twigs above them, the starlings talked to one another
rather sadly, and far off through the stillness of the mist came the
sound of the tide on the shore. The curate was very pale and grave. His
tall frame trembled like a sick woman's as he stooped to give Violetta
that kiss. He took her hands in his for a moment, and then he clasped
her in his arms, lifting her from the grass and embracing her in a
passion of tenderness and love. Then he put her from him.

'Violetta, it is amiable of you, and loyal, to excuse and defend your
mother, but tell me--tell me, as you speak before God, that you do not
think as you have spoken. You are a woman now, with a soul of your own;
tell me you know that to take this necklace and to keep it secretly was
a terrible sin.'

'Indeed'--with candour--'I do not think anything of the sort. I think it
is wicked of you to slander mamma in that way. And if you want to know
what I think'--with temper now--'I think it was most unkind of you to
give away my ring. After it had been given to me on such an occasion,
too, it was price