at the door was
open, he entered the church, closing the door gently behind him.

It was very quiet in there and even the chirping of the sparrows was
softened into a faint twitter. Here at last was a place set apart, a
moment of stillness when he might think things out by himself.

He took out Amy's letter, smoothing it flat on the prayer books before
him, and forced himself to read it through. The early paragraphs dealt
with some small item of family news which in his present state of mind
mattered to Lavendar no more than the distant chirruping of the birds,
out there in the sunshine. "You seem determined to stay for some time
at Stoke Revel," his sister wrote. "No doubt the pretty American is
the attraction. She sounds charming from your description, but my dear
man, that's all froth! How many times have I heard this sort of thing
from you before! Remember I know everything about your former loves."

"You _don't_, then," said Lavendar to himself. Down, down, down at the
bottom of the well of the heart where truth lies, there is always some
remembrance, generally a very little one, that can never be told to
any confidant.

"You will find out faults in Mrs. Loring presently, just like the rest
of them," continued the pitiless writer. (Amy's handwriting was
painfully distinct.) "I must tell you that at the Cowleys' the other
day, I suddenly came face to face with Gertrude Meredith _and Dolly_!
Dolly looks a good deal older already and fatter, I thought. I fear
she is losing her looks, for her colour has become fixed, and she
_will_ wear no collars still, although on a rather thick neck, it's
not at all becoming. I spoke to her for about three minutes, as it was
less awkward, when we met suddenly face to face like that. She laughed
a good deal, and asked for you rather audaciously, I thought. They
live near Winchester now, and since the Colonel's death are pretty
badly off, Gertrude says. Dolly is going to Devonshire to stay with
the Cowleys; you may meet her there any day, remember. It does seem
incredible to me that a man of your discrimination could have been won
by the obvious devotion of a girl like Dolly; but having given your
word I almost think you would better have kept it, rather than suffer
all this criticism from a host of mutual friends."

Lavendar groaned aloud. He had a good memory, and with all too great
distinctness did he now remember Dolly Meredith's laugh. How wretched
it had all been; not a wor