"No, I repeat what--I--said -- then," she answered in a strange hoarse voice.
"And only you yourself suspect the truth ?" "You are the only person to whom I have mentioned it, and I have been filled with regret ever since.

I had no right to make the allegation, Walter.

I should have kept my secret to myself." "There was surely no harm in telling me, dearest," he exclaimed, still holding her hand, and looking fixedly into those clear-blue, fathomless eyes so very dear to him.

"You know too well that I would never betray you." "But if he knew--if that man ever knew," she cried, "he would avenge himself upon me! I know he would." "But what have you to fear, little one ?" he asked, surprised at the sudden change in her.
"You know how my mother hates me, how they all detest me--all except dear old dad, who is so terribly helpless, misled, defrauded, and tricked--as he daily is--by those about him." "I know, darling," said the young man.

"I know it all only too well.
Trust in me;" and, bending, he kissed her softly upon the lips.
What was the real, the actual truth, he wondered.