beauty and purity that he is abashed in her presence.  The unspoken prayers he offers up to God at those times he gives to her to carry.  And when such a one returns his love, he is proud indeed.  To me you are the embodiment of all that is fair in woman, and it is love that has made you so, that has taken away your little imperfections—­love for me.  Ah, Grizel, I was so proud to think that somehow I had done it; but even now, in the moment when your love has manifested itself most splendidly, you are ashamed of it, and what I respect and reverence you for most are changes that have come about against your will.  If your love makes you sorrowful, how can I be proud of it?  Henceforth it will be my greatest curse.”

She started up, wringing her hands.  It was something to have got her to her feet.

“Surely,” he said, like one puzzled as well as pained by her obtuseness, “you see clearly that it must be so.  True love, as I conceive it, must be something passing all knowledge, irresistible; something not to be resented for its power, but worshipped for it; something not to fight against, but to glory in.  And such is your love; but you give the proof of it with shame, because your ideal of love is a humdrum sort of affection.  That is all you would like to feel, Grizel, and because you feel something deeper and nobler you say you have lost your self-respect.  I am the man who has taken it from you.  Can I ever be proud of your love again?”

He paused, overcome with emotion.  “What it has been to me!” he cried.  “I walked among my fellows as if I were a colossus.  It inspired me at my work.  I felt that there was nothing great I was not capable of, and all because Grizel loved me.”

She stood trembling with delight at what he said, and with apprehension at what he seemed to threaten.  His head being bent, he could not see her, and amid his grief he wondered a little what she was doing now.

“But you spoke”—­she said it timidly, as if to refer to the matter at all was cruel of her—­“you spoke as if I was disgracing you because I could not conceal my love.  You said it was hard on you.”  She pressed her hands together.  “Yes, that is what you said.”

This was awkward for Tommy.  “She believes I meant that,” he cried hoarsely.  “Grizel believes that of me!  I have behaved since then as if that was what I meant, have I?  I meant only that it would be hard on me if Elspeth learned of our love at the very moment when this man is treating her basely.  I look as if I had meant something worse, do I?  I know myself at last!  Grizel has shown me what I am.”

He covered his face with his hands.  Strong man as he was, he could not conceal his agony.

“Don’t!” she cried.  “If I was wrong—­”

“If you were wrong!”

“I was wrong!  I know I was wrong.  Somehow it was a mistake.  I don’t know how it arose.  But you love me and you want me to love you still.  That is all I know.  I thought you did not, but you do.  If you wanted me to come back——­”