CHAPTER XVI.
"Une grande passion malheureaux est un grand moyen de sagesse." Rachel had left London precipitately after she had been the unwilling confidante of Lady Newhaven's secret, and had taken refuge with that friend of all perplexed souls, the Bishop of Southminster.

She felt unable to meet Hugh again without an interval of breathing-time.

She knew that if she saw much more of him he would confide in her, and she shrank from receiving a confidence the ugliest fact of which she already knew.

Perhaps she involuntarily shrank also from fear lest he should lower himself in her eyes by only telling her half the truth.

Sad confessions were often poured into Rachel's ears which she had known for years.