She knew from the speed with which he drove that something out of the common had happened.

The gig stopped and the doctor's voice rang out: "Come as quick as you can, Jane, please.

I've got a bad case some miles out of Warehold, and I need you; it's a compound fracture, and I want you to help with the chloroform." All her indecision vanished and all her doubts were swept away as she caught the tones of his voice.

Who else in the wide world understood her as he did, and who but he should guide her now?
Had he ever failed her?
When was his hand withheld or his lips silent?
How long would her pride shut out his sympathy?
If he could help in the smaller things of life why not trust him in this larger sorrow ?--one that threatened to overwhelm her, she whose heart ached for tenderness and wise counsel.
Perhaps she could lean upon him without betraying her trust.

After all, the question of Archie's birth--the one secret between them--need not come up.