ground. When he raised them she was smiling through
unshed tears. But she had spoken first.

"It was not a very terrible motive, after all," she had said; "at least,
it has not been such a very terrible--punishment!"

"No; but that was because I did the very last thing I ever thought of
doing."

"And that was?"

"To fall in love with you at the beginning!"

Rachel gave a little start.

"Although you thought me guilty?"

"That made no difference at all. But I have thought it less and less,
until, on the night you appealed first to me and then to Langholm--on
thinking over that night--it was impossible to suppose it any more."

Rachel rose, her cheeks divinely red, her lip trembling, her hand
outstretched.

"And you fell in love with me!" she murmured.

"God knows I did, Rachel, in my own way," said Steel.

"I am so glad!" whispered his wife.

THE END

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