firmly now--her voice was a little hard, like that of a
person making an effort to appear natural.

"I am not angry, but I ask you to reason--to reflect. What secret could
I have--what mystery?"

"None, wife, none; I know that!"

"And yet you cannot be at rest?"

"I am--I will be."

For a few moments they sat together in silence, then Mellen said:

"Even in your past, Bessie, you have no secret!"

"None," she answered, and her voice was perfectly open and sincere now.
"There is not in all my girlhood the least thing that I could wish to
conceal from you; it passed quietly, it was growing very dreary and cold
when you came with your love and carried me away to a brighter life."

"It is so sweet to hear this, Bessie!" he whispered, as his face grew
gentle with the tenderness which warmed his heart. "We have been
separated so much, had so little time to realize our happiness, that
neither of us have quite learned to receive it quietly--don't you think
it is so, dear child?"

"It may be," she exclaimed, and her voice deepened with sudden
intensity. "Only trust me, my husband; trust and love me always. I will
deserve it. Only trust me!"

"Always, Bessie, always! My darling, I have only you in the whole
world--all my hopes, my love, centre upon you--I am like a miser with
one treasure which he fears to lose."

"Only a treasure to you," she said, playfully; "you would be astonished
to see what a common-place pebble it is to other people."

"That is not so; you know it, Bessie."

"Never mind how it may be; if I am precious in your eyes it is all I
ask."

So they talked each other into serenity for the time. Their married life
had been so broken up that it was natural that much of the enthusiasm of
lovers should remain--even in their old difficulties there had been none
of the common-place quarrels which degrade love, and wear it out much
more quickly than a trouble which strikes deeper ever does.

"Since I came back," Grantley said, "I have sometimes thought it might
be a little feeling towards Elsie which made you so strange."

"What feeling but kindness could I have?" she asked.

"True; it would not be like you, Bessie. You love her, don't you? It was
through her we knew each other--remember that!"

"I do, and very pleasantly; but I have no need to think of that to be
kind and gentle with her--when have you seen me otherwise?"

"Never; I can honestly say never!"

"Has Elsie complained?"

"No, dear,