my mind. That you
should suffer this way alone is torture to me. You cannot, you shall
not live another day as you have! Let me help!"

Instantly there flashed into her mind the story Martha had brought in
from the street. "He has heard it," she said to herself, "but he does
not believe it, and he comes to comfort me. I cannot tell the truth
without betraying Lucy."

She drew a step farther from him.

"You refer to what the people about us call a mystery--that poor little
child upstairs?" she said slowly, all her self-control in her voice.
"You think it is a torture for me to care for this helpless baby? It is
not a torture; it is a joy--all the joy I have now." She stood looking
at him as she spoke with searching eyes, wondering with the
ever-questioning doubt of those denied love's full expression.

"But I know--"

"You know nothing--nothing but what I have told you; and what I have
told you is the truth. What I have not told you is mine to keep. You
love me too well to probe it any further, I am sorry for the captain.
He has an iron will and a rough exterior, but he has a warm heart
underneath. If you see him before I do give him my deepest sympathy.
Now, my dear friend, I must go back to Archie; he is restless and needs
me. Good-night," and she held out her hand and passed out of the room.

She was gone before he could stop her. He started forward as her hand
touched the door, but she closed it quickly behind her, as if to leave
no doubt of her meaning. He saw that she had misunderstood him. He had
intended to talk to her of Archie's father, and of Lucy, and she had
supposed he had only come to comfort her about the village gossip.

For some minutes he stood like one dazed. Then a feeling of unspeakable
reverence stole over him. Not only was she determined to suffer alone
and in silence, but she would guard her sister's secret at the cost of
her own happiness. Inside that sacred precinct he knew he could never
enter; that wine-press she intended to tread alone.

Then a sudden indignation, followed by a contempt of his own weakness
took possession of him. Being the older and stronger nature, he should
have compelled her to listen. The physician as well as the friend
should have asserted himself. No woman could be well balanced who would
push away the hand of a man held out to save her from ruin and misery.
He would send Martha for her again and insist upon her listening to him.

He started for the door and