. He had told Lord Erymanth the entire truth,
and had been believed, but it was quite probable that even that truth
might divide for ever between him and Viola, and those other stories of
the Stympsons both cousins had, of course, flatly denied, but had never
been able otherwise to confute.

I asked whether it had ever struck him that it was possible that the
deeds of Henry Alison might have been charged on his head. "Yes," he
said, and he thought that if he could trace this out, with Dermot as a
witness, the authorities might be satisfied so far as to take him for
what he was, instead of for what he had never been. But the perception
of the storm of opposition which speaking at present would provoke,
made me allow that he was as wise as generous in sparing Viola till his
return, since I knew her too well to fear that her heart would be given
away in the meantime. Still I did hint, "Might not she feel your going
away without saying anything?"

"Not at all likely," said Harold. "Besides, she would probably be a
happier woman if she forgot all about me."

In which, of course, there was no agreeing; but he had made up his
mind, and it was plain it was the nobler part--nay, the only honest
part, since it was plainly of no use to speak openly. I wondered a
little that his love was so self-restrained. It was an intense glow,
but not an outbreak; but I think that having gone through all the
whirlwind of tempestuous passion for a mere animal like poor Meg made
him the more delicately reverent and considerate for the real love of
the higher nature which had now developed in him. He said himself that
the allowing himself to hope, and ceasing to crush his feelings, was so
great a change as to be happiness enough for him; and I guarded
carefully against being forced into any promise of silence, being quite
determined that, if I saw Viola unhappy, or fancying herself forgotten,
I would, whether it could be called wise or foolish, give her a hint of
the true state of things.

Nothing was to be said to Eustace. He would have the field to himself,
and it was better that he should convince himself and Lady Diana that
there was no hope for him. Harold thought he could safely be commended
to George Yolland and me for his affairs and his home life; and, to our
surprise, he did not seem half so reluctant to part with his cousin as
we had expected. He had gone his own way a good deal more this winter
and spring, as Harold seld