The crash of a felled tree in the remote depths of the wood recalled

the past at that moment, and all the homely faithfulness of

Winterborne. "Don't ask it! My heart is in the grave with Giles," she

replied, stanchly.

"Mine is with you--in no less deep a grave, I fear, according to that."

"I am very sorry; but it cannot be helped."

"How can you be sorry for me, when you wilfully keep open the grave?"

"Oh no--that's not so," returned Grace, quickly, and moved to go away

from him.

"But, dearest Grace," said he, "you have condescended to come; and I

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thought from it that perhaps when I had passed through a long state of

probation you would be generous. But if there can be no hope of our

getting completely reconciled, treat me gently--wretch though I am."

"I did not say you were a wretch, nor have I ever said so."

"But you have such a contemptuous way of looking at me that I fear you

think so."

Grace's heart struggled between the wish not to be harsh and the fear

that she might mislead him. "I cannot look contemptuous unless I feel

contempt," she said, evasively. "And all I feel is lovelessness."

"I have been very bad, I know," he returned. "But unless you can

really love me again, Grace, I would rather go away from you forever.

I don't want you to receive me again for duty's sake, or anything of

that sort. If I had not cared more for your affection and forgiveness

than my own personal comfort, I should never have come back here. I

could have obtained a practice at a distance, and have lived my own

life without coldness or reproach. But I have chosen to return to the

one spot on earth where my name is tarnished--to enter the house of a

man from whom I have had worse treatment than from any other man

alive--all for you!"

This was undeniably true, and it had its weight with Grace, who began

to look as if she thought she had been shockingly severe.

"Before you go," he continued, "I want to know your pleasure about

me--what you wish me to do, or not to do."

"You are independent of me, and it seems a mockery to ask that. Far be

it from me to advise. But I will think it over. I rather need advice

myself than stand in a position to give it."




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