"Go on," said Kate.
"He told me that he did not love you; that he only wanted to marry you
that he might get money from your father, and then he would leave you.
So when I found he wanted to make you suffer as he had me I began to
pity you. I came back to Ophir to see what you were like. He does not
know that I am here. I found he was angry because you would not marry
him. Then I was glad. I saw you many times that you did not know. Your
face was kind and good, as though you would pity me if you knew all, and
I loved you. I heard something about a lover you had a few years ago who
died, and I knew your heart must have been sad for him, and I vowed he
should never harm you or any one you loved."
They had reached the offices; the carriage stopped, but not before
Kate's hand had sought and found the stranger's in silent token that she
understood.