ar and sound understanding. She was not one to
play tricks with her conscience, and to reason herself into
allowing what she was well aware was wrong. She nourished herself
in no delusion that her marriage with Jonas was formal and devoid
of the sanction of a spiritual bond.

She took her Prayer Book, opened the marriage service, and re-read
the vows she had made.

She had been asked, "Wilt thou have this man, Jonas, to thy wedded
husband, to live together after God's ordinance . . . and forsaking
all other keep thee only unto him, so long as ye both shall live?"
and thereto, in the sight of God and of the congregation, she had
promised. There was no escape from this.

She had said--"I, Mehetabel, take thee, Jonas, to be my wedded
husband, to have and to hold, from this day forward, for better,
for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to
love, cherish and obey, till death us do part, according to God's
holy ordinance, and thereto I give thee my troth."

There was no proviso inserted, as a means of escape; nothing
like: I will be true to thee unless Iver return; unless, thou,
Bideabout, prove unworthy of my love and obedience; unless there
be incompatibility of temper; unless I get tired of thee, and
change my mind.

Mehetabel knew what the words meant, knew that she had been
sincere in intent when she said them. She knew that she was bound,
without proviso of any kind.

She knew that she could not love Iver and be guiltless. But she
was aware also, now, when too late, that she had undertaken towards
Jonas what was, in a measure, impossible.

Loyal to Jonas as far as outward conduct could make her, that she
was confident she would remain, but her heart had slipped beyond
her control, and her thoughts were winged and refused to be caged.

"I say, Matabel!"

The young wife started, and her bosom contracted. Her husband
spoke. He had come on her at a moment when, lost in day-dreams,
she least expected, desired, his presence.

"What do you want with me, Jonas?" she asked as she recovered her
composure.

"I want you to go to the Ship. The old woman there has fallen out
with the maid, and there are three gentlemen come for the shooting,
and want to be attended to. The old woman asked if you would help
a bit. I said 'Dun know:' but after a bit we agreed for a shilling
a day."

"Never!" gasped Mehetabel.

"I tried to screw more out of her necessity, but could not.
Besides, if you do well,