Margery's story, and more, may be true, and yet it may be that, three months hence, all, as regards ourselves, will be just as it has been.

We must not, through a blind fear of one calamity, put ourselves in the way of another.

Neither of us can look much at the future to-night; but we must not forget that there is a future.

So it is still the old task which is before us, to keep our secret." The voice had been very steady until the last word; but as that was spoken, it faltered and failed so suddenly that Lucia looked up.

She sprang to her feet, but just in time.