her
almost, except in others.

Therefore, having endured the uncertainty of the position a week, she
had it out with Arthur. Sitting on the rocks of an ancient quarry, high
above the surface of the lake, they watched the waters rough and white
from the strong south wind. The household had adjourned that day for
lunch to this wild spot, and the members were scattered about, leaving
them, as they always did now, by common consent alone.

"Perhaps," she said calmly, "this would be a good time to talk to you,
Arthur, as sister to brother ... can't we talk as brother and sister?"

For a change came over his face that sickened her. The next moment he
was ready for the struggle.

"I fear not, Honora," said he humbly. "I fear we can never do that
again."

"Then you are to stand in my way too?" with bitterness.

"No, but I am not going to stand in my own way," he replied boldly.
"Have I ever stood in your way, Honora?"

"You have always helped me. Do not fail me at the last, I beg of you."

"I shall never fail you, nor stand in your way. You are free now as your
father wished you to be. You shall go to the convent on the date which
you have named. Neither Ireland, nor anything but your heart shall
hinder you. You have seen my heart for a week as you never saw it
before. Do not let what you saw disturb or detain you. I told your
father of it the last day of his life, and he was glad. He said it was
like ... he was satisfied. Both he and I were of one mind that you
should be free. And you are."

Ideas and words fled from her. The situation of her own making she knew
not how to manage. What could be more sensible than his speech?

"Very well, thank you," she said helplessly.

He had perfect control of himself, but his attitude expressed his
uneasiness, his face only just concealed his pain. All his life in
moments like this, Arthur Dillon would suffer from his earliest sorrow.

"I hope you will all let me go with resignation," she began again.

"I give you to God freely," was his astonishing answer, "but I may tell
you it is my hope He will give you back to me. I have nothing, and He is
the Lord of all. He has permitted my heart to be turned to ashes, and
yet gave it life again through you. I have confidence in Him. To you I
am nothing; in the future I shall be only a memory to be prayed for. If
we had not God to lift us up, and repay us for our suffering, to what
would we come? I could not make my heart clear to yo