Three times I have been sought in marriage, and three times I have found something dishonourable in the men who said they loved me.

Love! What do men know of love?
Fortunately my heart was untouched; but you, Valmai, have been weaker.

I see it all--oh! to my sorrow I see it all! You have believed and trusted, and you have been betrayed?
Am I right ?" "Yes, and no; I have loved and I have trusted, but I have not been betrayed.

He will come back to me, Gwladys--I know he will, some time or other--and will explain the meaning of this long silence.

Meanwhile I must go on bearing and waiting." "Look into my eyes, Valmai," said Gwladys, kneeling once more before her sister.
And Valmai looked full into the blue orbs, the counterpart of her own, with fearless, open gaze.
"Now speak," said Gwladys, taking her sister's hand, and holding it on her own fast-beating heart; "now tell me, here as we kneel together before the All-seeing God and His holy angels, do you know of any reason why we two, when we have dropped these bodies, should not stand in equal purity before the Throne of God ?" "Before God there is none! Of course, Gwladys, my heart is full of the frailties and sin belonging to our human nature; but I understand what you mean; and again I say, there is none!" "I will believe you, darling," said her sister, throwing her arms around her, "I will believe you, dearest; I will take you into my warm heart, and I will cling to you for ever!" "But I must go, Gwladys; I want to find some home where I can make myself useful, and where I can fill my mind and hands with work until--until--" "Until when, dear ?" said Gwladys.
Valmai rose with a troubled face and tearful eyes, and, stretching out her hands, she gazed over them into the far distance, with a dreamy look which gradually changed into a brightening smile.
"Until the happy future comes! It will come some day, Gwladys, and then you will be glad you trusted your sister." "Then to-night, dear," said Gwladys, "we will bury the last eighteen months.