'If she loved you, I'd say nothing,' Edward went on, staring at Reddin
fixedly. 'The fact that I'm her husband would not have counted with me,
if you'd loved her and she you.'

'A fine pastor!'

'But you don't. You only wanted--Oh! you make me sick!'

'Indeed! Well, I'm man enough to take what I want; you're not.'

'You trapped her; you would have betrayed her. But, thank God! a young
girl's innocence is a wonderful and powerful thing.'

Reddin was astounded. Could Marston really be such a fool as to believe
in Hazel still?

'The innocent young girl--' he began, but Hazel struck him on the
mouth.

'All right, spitfire!' he said; 'mum's the word.' He was surprisingly
good-humoured.

'Well, Hazel'--Edward spoke in a matter-of-fact tone--'shall we go home
now?'

'Dunnat ask me, Ed'ard! I mun bide.'

'Why?'

Hazel was silent. She could not explain the strange instinct, stronger