‘Yes,’ he said again, as though simply admitting that he had heard what she said.

’So I think we had better not say anything more about it.  I know you will see that it is wisest to say nothing to papa or any one else.  People think so differently about such things that it would only cause needless argument, and give poor mamma more pain when she has already suffered so much.’

’You may trust me.  I will never mention the matter to your father, or to any one else.  No one shall ever hear of it through me.’

’I was sure that you would see that it is wisest not to; I told mamma so.  When she is better, and you have shown her that you regret having misunderstood her, we shall all be very happy again.’  She held up her pretty face for a kiss.

No one could see them except the chattering starlings in the church tower, for they stood in the soft mist between the dewy yew trees and the red-budding hedge by the vicarage lawn.  The beech trees stretched out their graceful twigs above them, the starlings talked to one another rather sadly, and far off through the stillness of the mist came the sound of the tide on the shore.  The curate was very pale and grave.  His tall frame trembled like a sick woman’s as he stooped to give Violetta that kiss.  He took her hands in his for a moment, and then he clasped her in his arms, lifting her from the grass and embracing her in a passion of tenderness and love.  Then he put her from him.

’Violetta, it is amiable of you, and loyal, to excuse and defend your mother, but tell me—­tell me, as you speak before God, that you do not think as you have spoken.  You are a woman now, with a soul of your own; tell me you know that to take this necklace and to keep it secretly was a terrible sin.’

’Indeed’—­with candour—­’I do not think anything of the sort.  I think it is wicked of you to slander mamma in that way.  And if you want to know what I think’—­with temper now—­’I think it was most unkind of you to give away my ring.  After it had been given to me on such an occasion, too, it was priceless to us, but we could easily have paid that vulgar man all it was worth to him.’

‘I will not argue with you.  I perceive now that that would do no good.’  There was a heart-broken tone in his voice that frightened Violetta.  ’I will—­I will only say——­’

‘What?’ she asked.  The thin sharp sound in her voice was a note of alarm.

‘I will not marry you,’ moaned the curate.

‘Not marry me!’ she exclaimed in astonishment.

’I love you.  I shall always love you.  No other woman shall ever be my wife; but I will never marry you; and I shall go away and leave you free to forget me.’

‘But why?  What have I done?’ she asked, her breath catching her tones.

’You have done nothing, my poor, poor girl; but—­oh, my darling, I would gladly die if by dying I could open your eyes to see the simple integrity of unselfishness!’