n said that she had come to
hear. Every word that the woman had spoken had in truth been a comfort
to her. She had told herself that her visit was to be made in order
that she might be justified in her condemnation of her lover. She had
believed that it was her intention to arm herself with proof that she
had done right in rejecting him. Now she was told that however false
her lover might have been to this other woman he had been absolutely
true to her. The woman had not spoken kindly of Paul,--had seemed to
intend to speak of him with the utmost severity; but she had so spoken
as to acquit him of all sin against Hetta. What was it to Hetta that her
lover had been false to this American stranger? It did not seem to her
to be at all necessary that she should be angry with her lover on that
head. Mrs Hurtle had told her that she herself must decide whether she
would take upon herself to avenge her rival's wrongs. In saying that,
Mrs Hurtle had taught her to feel that there were no other wrongs
which she need avenge. It was all done now. If she could only thank
the woman for the pleasantness of her demeanour, and then go, she
could, when alone, make up her mind as to what she would do next. She
had not yet told herself she would submit herself again to Paul
Montague. She had only told herself that, within her own breast, she
was bound to forgive him. 'You have been very kind,' she said at
last,--speaking only because it was necessary that she should say
something.

'It is well that there should be some kindness where there has been so
much that is unkind. Forgive me, Miss Carbury, if I speak plainly to
you. Of course you will go back to him. Of course you will be his
wife. You have told me that you love him dearly, as plainly as I have
told you the same story of myself. Your coming here would of itself
have declared it, even if I did not see your satisfaction at my
account of his treachery to me.'

'Oh, Mrs Hurtle, do not say that of me!'

'But it is true, and I do not in the least quarrel with you on that
account. He has preferred you to me, and as far as I am concerned
there is an end of it. You are a girl, whereas I am a woman,--and he
likes your youth. I have undergone the cruel roughness of the world,
which has not as yet touched you; and therefore you are softer to the
touch. I do not know that you are very superior in other attractions;
but that has sufficed, and you are the victor. I am strong enough to
acknowl