"I should not have done it; I had no right: but such a desire to do it came over me, I had to; it was such a glory to me to say in writing what you are to me." She smiled happily.

Oh, exquisite day! "I have so long wanted to have a letter from you," she said.

"I have almost wished you would go away for a little time, so that I might have a letter from you." He had guessed this.

He had written to give her delight.
"Did you like the first words of it, Grizel ?" he asked eagerly.
The lover and the artist spoke together.
Could she admit that the letter was unopened, and why?
Oh, the pain to him! She nodded assent.

It was not really an untruth, she told herself.