rt us, than that I should discover it in time to
come. And suspicions have been awakened in me. I think I will not say
how, because I despise the means. A discovery of any mystery of your
past would embitter our lives.'

Knight waited with a slow manner of calmness. His eyes were sad and
imperative. They went farther along the path.

'Will you forgive me if I tell you all?' she exclaimed entreatingly.

'I can't promise; so much depends upon what you have to tell.'

Elfride could not endure the silence which followed.

'Are you not going to love me?' she burst out. 'Harry, Harry, love me,
and speak as usual! Do; I beseech you, Harry!'

'Are you going to act fairly by me?' said Knight, with rising anger; 'or
are you not? What have I done to you that I should be put off like this?
Be caught like a bird in a springe; everything intended to be hidden
from me! Why is it, Elfride? That's what I ask you.'

In their agitation they had left the path, and were wandering among the
wet and obstructive stubble, without knowing or heeding it.

'What have I done?' she faltered.

'What? How can you ask what, when you know so well? You KNOW that I have
designedly been kept in ignorance of something attaching to you, which,
had I known of it, might have altered all my conduct; and yet you say,
what?'

She drooped visibly, and made no answer.

'Not that I believe in malicious letter-writers and whisperers; not I.
I don't know whether I do or don't: upon my soul, I can't tell. I know
this: a religion was building itself upon you in my heart. I looked
into your eyes, and thought I saw there truth and innocence as pure and
perfect as ever embodied by God in the flesh of woman. Perfect truth is
too much to expect, but ordinary truth I WILL HAVE or nothing at all.
Just say, then; is the matter you keep back of the gravest importance,
or is it not?'

'I don't understand all your meaning. If I have hidden anything from
you, it has been because I loved you so, and I feared--feared--to lose
you.'

'Since you are not given to confidence, I want to ask you some plain
questions. Have I your permission?'

'Yes,' she said, and there came over her face a weary resignation. 'Say
the harshest words you can; I will bear them!'

'There is a scandal in the air concerning you, Elfride; and I cannot
even combat it without knowing definitely what it is. It may not refer
to you entirely, or even at all.' Knight trifled in the very bitterness
of