Remember that they had been living as husband and wife, to all intents and purposes (except that the marriage-service had not been read over them), for fifteen years before you came into the house; and bear in mind, at the same time, that no event occurred to disturb Mr.Vanstone's happiness in the present, to remind him of the past, or to warn him of the future, until the announcement of his wife's death reached him, in that letter from America which you saw placed in his hand.

From that day forth--when a past which _he_ abhorred was forced back to his memory; when a future which _she_ had never dared to anticipate was placed within her reach--you will soon perceive, if you have not perceived already, that they both betrayed themselves, time after time; and that you r innocence of all suspicion, and their children's innocence of all suspicion, alone prevented you from discovering the truth.
"The sad story of the past is now as well known to you as to me.

I have had hard words to speak.

God knows I have spoken them with true sympathy for the living, with true tenderness for the memory of the dead." He paused, turned his face a little away, and rested his head on his hand, in the quiet, undemonstrative manner which was natural to him.
Thus far, Miss Garth had only interrupted his narrative by an occasional word or by a mute token of her attention.

She made no effort to conceal her tears; they fell fast and silently over her wasted cheeks, as she looked up and spoke to him.