not ask you to stay in this house where I live alone, and there is no inn near, I propose to send serving men to conduct you to my brother’s dwelling that is something more than a mile away, if indeed,’ she added slowly, ’you do not already know the path!  There you will find entertainment, and there the sister of your dead companion, Mary Bozard, will be glad to learn the story of his strange adventures from your lips.’

I bowed my head and answered, ’First, senora, I would pray your answer to my friend’s dying prayer and message.’

‘It is childish to send answers to the dead.’

‘Still I pray for them as I was charged to do.’

‘How reads the writing within this ring, sir?’

‘Heart to heart, Though far apart,’

I said glibly, and next instant I could have bitten out my tongue.

’Ah! you know that also, but doubtless you have carried the ring for many months and learned the writing.  Well, sir, though we were far apart, and though perchance I cherished the memory of him who wore this ring, and for his sake remained unwed, it seems that his heart went a straying—­to the breast indeed of some savage woman whom he married, and who bore him children.  That being so, my answer to the prayer of your dead friend is that I forgive him indeed, but I must needs take back the vows which I swore to him for this life and for ever, since he has broken them, and as best I may, strive to cast out the love I bore him since he rejected and dishonoured it,’ and standing up Lily made as though she tore at her breast and threw something from her, and at the same time she let fall the ring upon the floor.

I heard and my heart stood still.  So this was the end of it.  Well, she had the right of me, though now I began to wish that I had been less honest, for sometimes women can forgive a lie sooner than such frankness.  I said nothing, my tongue was tied, but a great misery and weariness entered into me.  Stooping down I found the ring, and replacing it on my finger, I turned to seek the door with a last glance at the woman who refused me.  Halfway thither I paused for one second, wondering if I should do well to declare myself, then bethought me that if she would not abate her anger toward me dead, her pity for me living would be small.  Nay, I was dead to her, and dead I would remain.

Now I was at the door and my foot was on its step, when suddenly a voice, Lily’s voice, sounded in my ears and it was sweet and kind.

‘Thomas,’ said the voice, ’Thomas, before you go, will you not take count of the gold and goods and land that you placed in my keeping?’

Now I turned amazed, and lo!  Lily came towards me slowly and with outstretched arms.