I was compelled, or so it seemed to me, to answer without reserve. I
therefore returned a quiet affirmative, adding only in qualification
of the avowal, "What other reasons were necessary?"

"None, none," was the quick reply, "for _you_ to believe as you
do. A woman but proves her claim to our respect when she attaches
such significance to the master-passion as to make it the argument
of a perfect happiness."

I do not think he spoke in sarcasm, though to most minds it might
appear so. I think he spoke in relief, a joyous relief, that was
less acceptable to me at that moment than the sarcasm would have
been. I therefore did not blush, but rather grew pale, as with a bow
I acknowledged his words, and took my first step towards the
doorway.

"I have wounded you," he murmured, softly, following me.

"You do not know me well enough," I answered, turning with a sense
of victory in the midst of my partial defeat.

"It is a misfortune that can be remedied," he smiled.

"Your brother waits for us," I suggested, and, lifting the
_portiere_ out of his hand, I passed through, steady as a dart,
but quaking, oh, how fearfully quaking within! for this interview
had not only confirmed me in my belief that something dark and
unknown connected the life of this household with that which had
suddenly gone out in the vat at the old mill, but deepened rather
than effaced the fatal charm which, contrary to every instinct of my