CHAPTER II.
A COUNTRY VISIT.
When Ralph had gone off to school again Mrs.Conway sat down to answer the letter--by no means an easy task--and she sat with the paper before her for a long time before she began.

At last, with an air of desperation, she dipped her pen into the ink and began: "MY DEAR HERBERT PENFOLD: It is difficult to answer such a letter as yours--to say all one feels without saying too much; to express the gratitude with which one is full, but of which one feels that you do not desire the expression.

First, a word as to the past.
Now that it is irreparable, why should I not speak freely?
We were the victims of a mistake! You were misled respecting me.

I foolishly resented the line you took, failed to make sufficient allowances for your surroundings, and even doubted a love that seemed to me to be so easily shaken.

Thus my pride was, perhaps, as much responsible for what happened as your too easy credence of tales to my disadvantage.