How could you keep the secret from me ?" "I did not know how to begin to tell you, but I was pretty nigh letting it out, and only the thought that it was better the little lady should tell you herself, as we had agreed, kept it in.

Only to think, squire, after all these years! But I never quite gave her up.

I always thought, somehow, as she would come just like this." "Did you, John?
I gave up hope years ago.

How did it come about, John ?" "Mrs.Walsham told me, as I came out of church today, as she wanted to speak to me.

So I went down, and she told me all about it, and then I saw him--" John hesitated at the name, for he knew that, perhaps, the only man in the world against whom his master cherished a bitter resentment, was the father of his son's wife.