She was silent.

"He was here between five and six?" he repeated. He glanced at her
sharply. "Why don't you answer me?"

"No, he was not here," she said slowly.

"Where was he, then?" he demanded. "What's the secret, anyhow?"

"Marsh, I'm going to tell you something," she said slowly. "Nothing
shall stand between our perfect understanding, our perfect trust for the
future. You know I have been none too happy for the last year--I don't
reproach you--but we had gotten very far apart somehow. I've never been
really bad--I've been your true and faithful wife, dear, always--always,
but--you had made me very unhappy--" She felt him shiver. "And I am not
a very wise or settled person--and we haven't any children to keep me
steady--"

"Thank God!" the man muttered hoarsely under his breath.

"What do you say?" she asked.

"Nothing--go on; what is it you want to tell me?"

"Something--and then perhaps you will trust me more fully with the
things that are oppressing you. I believe you love me, I believe it
absolutely--" she paused.

The light died out of his eyes.