Nancy interrupted the low, hurrying, panting voice, which distressed her ear as much as the facial expression that accompanied it did her eyes.

’There’s no need to tell me.  I knew it at the time, and you did me no harm.  Indeed, it was a kindness.’

She drew away, but Jessica moved after her.

’I supposed you knew.  But it is laid upon me to make a confession before you.  I have to ask your pardon, most humbly and truly.’

‘Do you mean that some one has told you to do this?’

‘Oh no!’ A gleam of infinite conceit shot over the humility of Jessica’s countenance.  ’I am answerable only to my own soul.  In the pursuit of an ideal which I fear you cannot understand, I subdue my pride, and confess how basely I behaved to you.  Will you grant me your forgiveness?’

She clasped her gloveless hands before her breast, and the fingers writhed together.

‘If it is any satisfaction to you,’ replied Nancy, overcome with wonder and pity, ’I will say those words.  But don’t think that I take upon myself—­’

‘Only say them.  I ask your pardon—­say you grant it.’

Nancy uttered the formula, and with bowed head Jessica stood for a minute in silence; her lips moved.

‘And now,’ she said at length, ’I must fulfil the second part of the duty which has brought me here.’  Her attitude changed to one of authority, and her eyes fixed themselves on Nancy’s, regarding her with the mild but severe rebuke of a spiritual superior.  ’Having acknowledged my wrong-doing, I must remind you of your own.  Let me ask you first of all—­have you any religious life?’

Nancy’s eyes had turned away, but at these words they flashed sternly upon the speaker.

‘I shall let you ask no such question.’

‘I expected it,’ Jessica sighed patiently.  ’You are still in the darkness, out of which I have been saved.’

’If you have nothing more to say than this, I must refuse to talk any longer.’

‘There is a word I must speak,’ pursued Jessica.  ’If you will not heed it now, it will remain in your memory, and bear fruit at the appointed time.  I alone know of the sin which poisons your soul, and the experiences through which I have passed justify me in calling you to repentance.’

Nancy raised her hand.

’Stop!  That is quite enough.  Perhaps you are behaving conscientiously; I will try to believe it.  But not another word, or I shall speak as I don’t wish to.’

’It is enough.  You know very well what I refer to.  Don’t imagine that because you are now a married woman—­’

Nancy stepped to the door, and threw it open.

‘Leave the house,’ she said, in an unsteady tone.  ’You said you were unwelcome, and it was true.  Take yourself out of my sight!’

Jessica put her head back, murmured some inaudible words, and with a smile of rancorous compassion went forth into the rain.