Had some cruel man forsaken her?
That was _her_ secret.

I asked myself what I could do to encourage her.

Your last letter, with our old priest's enclosure, was in my pocket.

I took it out.
"'Would you mind reading a short letter,' I said, 'before we wish each other goodnight ?' I held out the priest's letter.
"She drew back with a dark look; she appeared to have some suspicion of it.

'Who is the writer ?' she inquired sharply.
"'A person who is a stranger to you.' "Her face cleared directly.