I wanted you to be my friend; something told me that you could,--that you could separate me from my past; that you could tell me what to do; that you could make me think as you thought, see life as YOU saw it, and trust always to some goodness in people as YOU did.

And in this faith I thought that you would understand me now, and even forgive me all." She made a slight movement as if to disengage his arm, and, possibly, to look into his eyes, which she knew instinctively were bent upon her downcast head.

But he only held her the more tightly until her cheek was close against his breast.

"What could I do ?" she murmured.

"A man in sorrow and trouble may go to a woman for sympathy and support and the world will not gainsay or misunderstand him.