say a word. For a minute or two Enid also was silent, and thought of
Flossy. What was she doing? Of what was she thinking now?

As a matter of fact, Flossy was at that moment just awakening to a sick
shuddering consciousness of what had happened. She had gone to her room
and fallen to the floor in a death-like swoon. When she was able to
move, she crept to the bell and rang again and again for Parker. But
Parker of course did not come; and little by little Mrs. Vane became
aware that she was deserted, that Enid and her maid had left the house,
and that, for all she knew, instant ruin and disgrace hung like an
inevitable fate above her head.

When Enid spoke, it was in kindly tones.

"You must forget the past and start afresh, Parker. We all have to do
that, you know, Mr. Evandale says. We will make a new beginning."

"I have often thought, miss, that I should like to tell Mr. Evandale all
about it, and hear what he would say."

"You shall do so, Parker. We shall see Mr. Evandale in London very
likely." Enid paused a little, and then said, in her even, serious
voice, "I will tell you what I have told to no one else, Parker, because
you have trusted me--I am going to marry Mr. Evandale."

"Are you, miss? I'm sure I'm very glad to hear it! We all thought, miss,
that it was Mr. Lepel."

"No; I shall never marry Mr. Lepel."

"Is it a secret, miss?" said Parker.

"Until Mr. Evandale comes back from Yorkshire--that is all. After that
we will have no more concealments of any kind. I think," said Enid
softly but seriously--"I think that perfect truth is the most beautiful
thing in the whole world."

CHAPTER XLIV.

Miss Vane's welcome of her niece was dashed by amazement.

"Why, good gracious, child," she said, "what have you come at this hour
of the day for? I'm delighted to see you; but I never heard of such a
thing! Arriving at nine o'clock in the morning from Beechfield,
especially after all the accounts I have heard of your health! You look
fit to faint as it is!"

"I am tired," said Enid, with a little smile.

She sat down in Miss Vane's pretty dining-room, where her aunt was
seated at breakfast, and began to take off her gloves. Parker had
retired into the lower regions of the house, and the two ladies were
alone.

"I won't hear anything until you have had some coffee," said Miss Vane,
in her quick decisive way. "Get a little color into those pale cheeks,
my dear, before you begin to talk! There