are you glad that the vicar stayed? And what is this
little bottle in your hand?"

"Nothing," I cried, thrusting it into my pocket. "But
I must go. I have something important to do."

"How stern you look, Austin! I have never seen your
face like that. You are angry?"

"Yes, I am angry."

"But not with me?"

"No, no, my darling! You would not understand."

"But you have not told me why you came."

"I came to ask you whether you would always love me--no
matter what I did, or what shadow might fall on my
name. Would you believe in me and trust me however
black appearances might be against me?"

"You know that I would, Austin."

"Yes, I know that you would. What I do I shall do for
you. I am driven to it. There is no other way out, my
darling!" I kissed her and rushed from the room.

The time for indecision was at an end. As long as the
creature threatened my own prospects and my honor there