I needs must put this, which I owe to honour and to our mutual trust, before mine own content, and utter need of thee.

I should be shamed, did I do otherwise, to call thee wife of mine, to think of thee as mistress of my home, and of my heart the Queen." Mora's hand had sought the Bishop's letter; but now she let it lie concealed.

She could not dim the noble triumph of that moment, by any revelation of her previous knowledge.

Had Hugh failed, she must have produced the first letter.

Hugh having proved faithful, it might well wait.
A long silence fell between them.