and
wife, I would have helped you because that other purpose of serving
you in all things had become more fixed. But it was to no good end
that I sang your praises. Violet Effingham was not the girl to marry
this man or that at the bidding of any one;--was she?"

"No, indeed."

"It is of no use now talking of it; is it? But I want you to
understand me from the beginning;--to understand all that was evil,
and anything that was good. Since first I found that you were to me
the dearest of human beings I have never once been untrue to your
interests, though I have been unable not to be angry with you. Then
came that wonderful episode in which you saved my husband's life."

"Not his life."

"Was it not singular that it should come from your hand? It seemed
like Fate. I tried to use the accident, to make his friendship for
you as thorough as my own. And then I was obliged to separate you,
because,--because, after all I was so mere a woman that I could not
bear to have you near me. I can bear it now."

"Dear Laura!"

"Yes; as your sister. I think you cannot but love me a little when
you know how entirely I am devoted to you. I can bear to have you
near me now and think of you only as the hen thinks of her duckling.
For a moment you are out of the pond, and I have gathered you under
my wing. You understand?"

"I know that I am unworthy of what you say of me."

"Worth has nothing to do with it,--has no bearing on it. I do not say
that you are more worthy than all whom I have known. But when did
worth create love? What I want is that you should believe me, and
know that there is one bound to you who will never be unbound, one
whom you can trust in all things,--one to whom you can confess that
you have been wrong if you go wrong, and yet be sure that you will
not lessen her regard. And with this feeling you must pretend to
nothing more than friendship. You will love again, of course."

"Oh, no."

"Of course you will. I tried to blaze into power by a marriage, and
I failed,--because I was a woman. A woman should marry only for
love. You will do it yet, and will not fail. You may remember this
too,--that I shall never be jealous again. You may tell me everything
with safety. You will tell me everything?"

"If there be anything to tell, I will."

"I will never stand between you and your wife,--though I would fain
hope that she should know how true a friend I am. Now we have walked
here till it is dark, and the sentr