ed me? He recognised the name?"

"No! I was Miss Harding. Evelyn and her life were things apart. I
have never spoken of them to my neighbours. It was pure chance--pure
Providence!"

"But he knows? You have told him. He knows I am here?"

"Not yet. You had to know first, and to hear--to _read_ his defence;
but he is to know to-night. His friend will tell him. It will break
your heart, Charmion, for you have done him a wrong, and have wasted all
these years; but it will fill you with joy as well, for at last you can
believe--you _must_ believe in his loyalty. It is there for you to see,
in a letter to his friend, received just before you were married. Mr
Thorold has kept it--he gave it to me, so that you might see it with
your own eyes."

But still she sat motionless, half paralysed, it would appear, by the
suddenness, the unexpectedness of the revelation, making no effort to
take the letters which I held out. I put them into her hand, speaking
in slow, gentle tones:--

"Read, darling--read! There are two letters, for Mr Thorold has
drafted out the substance of his own reply. He feels that much of the
responsibility lies on his shoulder. It is such a joy to him--such a
joy!--to feel that he has this chance to `make good'. It's not a dream,
darling--it's true! The long, long nightmare is over; read your letters
and--wake up!"

I pressed the envelope into her slack hands, kissed her cold cheek, and
hurried from the room. She must be alone when she read those healing
words; even the dearest friend would be an intruder at that moment!

My own heart was beating at express speed as I descended the stairs, and
walked along the corridors which led to the drawing-room. I did not
hurry, but rather intentionally lingered by the way. The great mirrors
on the walls reflected a bright-eyed, eager girl, whom even at this
engrossed moment it was a pleasure to recognise as myself. I am so
tired of the reflection of old Miss Harding!

In a far corner of the room the two men were waiting. Mr Thorold came
quickly forward. I nodded, and he took his friend by the arm, and led
him towards the door. Edward Hallett's face was fixed--tense with
emotion. He glanced neither to right nor to left--was oblivious of the
outer world. Mr Thorold was to lead him to the room where Charmion
sat, close the door, and leave them face to face. Hardly would she have
finished reading the letters than her husband would stand bef