to her for thought. She ought to have done so,
and she blamed herself for being so little prepared for the occasion.
The lie would be useless now. Indeed, she would have no opportunity
for telling it; for of course she would not answer,--would not even
read his letter. Though he might know that she loved him, yet she
would not be his wife. He had forced her secret from her, but he
could not force her to marry him. She did love him, but he should
never be disgraced by her love.

After a while she was able to think of his conduct, and she believed
that she ought to be very angry with him. He had taken her roughly in
his arms, and had insulted her. He had forced a kiss from her. She
had felt his arms warm and close and strong about her, and had not
known whether she was in paradise or in purgatory. She was very angry
with him. She would send back his letter to him without reading
it,--without opening it, if that might be possible. He had done that
to her which nothing could justify. But yet,--yet,--yet how dearly
she loved him! Was he not a prince of men? He had behaved badly, of
course; but had any man ever behaved so badly before in so divine a
way? Was it not a thousand pities that she should be driven to deny
anything to a lover who so richly deserved everything that could be
given to him? He had kissed her hand as he let her go, and now, not
knowing what she did, she kissed the spot on which she had felt his
lips. His arm had been round her waist, and the old frock which she
wore should be kept by her for ever, because it had been so graced.

What was she now to say to Lily and to Lily's mother? Of one thing
there was no doubt. She would never tell them of her lover's wicked
audacity. That was a secret never to be imparted to any ears. She
would keep her resentment to herself, and not ask the protection of
any vicarious wrath. He could never so sin again, that was certain;
and she would keep all knowledge and memory of the sin for her own
purposes. But how could it be that such a man as that, one so good
though so sinful, so glorious though so great a trespasser, should
have come to such a girl as her and have asked for her love? Then she
thought of her father's poverty and the misery of her own condition,
and declared to herself that it was very wonderful.

Lily was the first to enter the room, and she, before she did so,
learned from the servant that Major Grantly had left the house. "I
heard the door, miss, and