‘But when he really speaks, then it will come to an end.’

’I shall grieve mother so, Letty.  I feel as if the best of my life had gone by.  Everything seemed so smooth.  Oh, why did he fall so, Letty? and I thought he cared for me, dear.’

She whispered it, her face on her friend’s shoulder.

‘Try to forget, darling; try!’

’Oh, as if I didn’t try night and day!  I know it is so wrong to give a thought.  How could he speak to me as he did that day when I met him on the hill, and again when I went just to save him an annoyance?  He was almost the same as before, only I thought him a little sad from his illness.  He had no right to talk to me in that way!  Oh, I feel wicked, that I can’t forget; I hate myself for still—­for still—­’

There was a word Letty could not hear, only her listening heart divined it.

’Dear Adela! pray for strength, and it will be sure to come to you.  How hard it is to know myself so happy when you have so much trouble!’

’I could have borne it better but for this new pain.  I don’t think I should ever have shown it; even you wouldn’t have known all I felt, Letty.  I should have hoped for him—­I don’t mean hoped on my own account, but that he might know how wicked he had been.  How—­how can a man do things so unworthy of himself, when it’s so beautiful to be good and faithful?  I think he did care a little for me once, Letty.’

‘Don’t let us talk of him, pet.’

’You are right; we mustn’t.  His name ought never to pass my lips, only in my prayers.’

She grew calmer, and they sat hand in hand.

‘Try to make your mother understand,’ advised Letty.  ’Say that it is impossible you should ever accept him.’

’She won’t believe that, I’m sure she won’t.  And to think that, even if I did it only to please her, people would believe I had married him because he is rich!’

Letty spoke with more emphasis than hitherto.

’But you cannot and must not do such a thing to please any one, Adela!  It is wrong even to think of it.  Nothing, nothing can justify that.’

How strong she was in the purity of her own love, good little Letty!  So they talked together, and mingled their tears, and the room was made a sacred place as by the presence of sorrowing angels.

CHAPTER XII

The New Wanley Lecture Hall had been publicly dedicated to the service of the New Wanley Commonwealth, and only in one respect did the day’s proceedings fall short of Mutimer’s expectations.  He had hoped to have all the Waltham family at his luncheon party, but in the event Alfred alone felt himself able to accept the invitation.  Mutimer had even nourished the hope that something might happen before that day to allow of Adela’s appearing not merely in the character of a guest, but, as it were, ex officio.  By this time he had resolutely forbidden