cleared. Edith, I told you half the truth, and you would have used it
against him had not some angel sent this girl to touch your heart. You
have done your part to atone for the past, now let me do mine. Mother,
Tavie loves him, he has risked life and honor for me. Repay him
generously and give him this."

With feeble touch Sir Jasper tried to lay his sister's hand in
Treherne's as he spoke; Mrs. Snowdon helped him, and as my lady bowed
her head in silent acquiescence, a joyful smile shone on the dying
man's face.

"One more confession, and then I am ready," he said, looking up into the
face of the woman whom he had loved with all the power of a shallow
nature. "It was a jest to you, Edith, but it was bitter earnest to me,
for I loved you, sinful as it was. Ask your husband to forgive me, and
tell him it was better I should die than live to mar a good man's peace.
Kiss me once, and make him happy for my sake."

She touched his cold lips with remorseful tenderness, and in the same
breath registered a vow to obey that dying prayer.

"Tavie dear, Maurice, my brother, God bless you both. Good-bye, Mother.
He will be a better son than I have been to you." Then, the reckless
spirit of the man surviving to the last, Sir Jasper laughed faintly, as
he seemed to beckon some invisible shape, and died saying gaily, "Now,
Father Abbot, lead on, I'll follow you."

* * * * *

A year later three weddings were celebrated on the same day and in the