her up! Her face
became very white; she swayed a little, looking about her vaguely, as
if for some physical aid; then suddenly revolt took the place of panic.
It was all some horrible mistake. She must go to him--rend the web of
doubt that had divided them--if need be, humble herself, show him the
greatness of her love, until he must condone--must forgive--must
reinstate her in his heart!

Moving swiftly, she crossed the room to the fireplace, drawing out her
watch as she went. With a good horse, she might still catch the last
train from Muskeere--take the night mail from Cork to Dublin--cross to
Holyhead in the morning, and be back in London to-morrow!

She lifted her hand to the frayed and tasselled bell-rope that hung
from the ceiling: then, by a strange impulse, her arm dropped to her
side.

When her journey was accomplished--when she met Gore, what had she to
explain? what had she to confess? The tassel of the bell-rope slipped
from between her fingers.

The vision of herself pleading with him rose vividly before her,--she,
with her passionate impulsiveness; he, with his grave dignity, his
uncompromising integrity. She recalled the peculiar words he had made
use of on the day he had discovered Deerehurst's gift of flowers. "I
should either believe in you--or disbelieve in you!" His critical
attitude in their first acquaintance started to life at the remembrance
of the words. He, who expected of others what he himself performed--he
who, as Nance had said, was "so honourable himself"--how would he
receive the poor, lame story she had to offer? A horrible, confusing
dread closed in about her. A week ago, she would have gone forth
confidently, to make her confession; but now her faith was less. On the
night in Deerehurst's study she had tasted of the tree of
knowledge--had seen things as men see them; and her fearlessness had
been shaken.

She looked helplessly round the bare room filled with cold grey light.

No; Walter would never believe!--Walter would never believe! The
knowledge that she had lied to him even once would stand between them,
condemning her hopelessly. An appalling weight seemed to press her to
the earth. She was cut adrift. She was separated for ever from all
safe, sheltering human things; somewhere in the dim, far regions where
the decrees of fate are made, a knell had been sounded!

She glanced once more round the bare, familiar room, from the great
four-post bedstead to the long window,