"But," she added calmly, "I think I should have married him, if I had
not had money left me first--before he asked me, I mean. I knew all
along that what I had determined to do, I could do best alone."

He stared at her from under gathered brows. He still felt that
curious mixture of shame and anger burning hotly within.

"Just why are you telling me all this?" he demanded roughly.

She returned his look quietly.

"Because," she said, "you have been trying to guess my secret for a
long time and you have succeeded; haven't you?"

He was speechless.

"You have been wondering about me, all along. I could see that, of
course. I suppose everybody in Brookville has been wondering and--and
talking. I meant to be frank and open about it--to tell right out who
I was and what I came to do. But--somehow--I couldn't.... It didn't
seem possible, when everybody--you see I thought it all happened so
long ago people would have forgotten. I supposed they would be just
glad to get their money back. I meant to give it to them--all, every
dollar of it. I didn't care if it took all I had.... And then--I
heard you last night when you crossed the library. I hoped--you would
ask me why--but you didn't. I thought, first, of telling Mrs.
Daggett; she is a kind soul. I had to tell someone, because he is
coming home soon, and I may need--help."