“So happy, so bright and free, and capable, his life seems now,” proceeded Rachel.  “I can’t understand his joining it to mine; and if people shunned and disliked him for my sake!”

“Surely that will depend on yourself.  I have never seen you in society, but if you have the fear of making him unpopular or remarkable before your eyes, you will avoid it.”

“Oh, yes, I know,” said Rachel, impatiently.  “I did think I should not have been a commonplace woman,” and she shed a few tears.

Ermine was provoked with her, and began to think that she had been arguing on a wrong tack, and that it would be better after all for Alick to be free.  Rachel looked up presently.  “It must be very odd to you to hear me say so, but I can’t help feeling the difference.  I used to think it so poor and weak to be in love, or to want any one to take care of one.  I thought marriage such ordinary drudgery, and ordinary opinions so contemptible, and had such schemes for myself.  And this—­and this is such a break down, my blunders and their consequences have been so unspeakably dreadful, and now instead of suffering, dying—­as I felt I ought—­it has only made me just like other women, for I know I could not live without him, and then all the rest of it must come for his sake.”

“And will make you much more really useful and effective than ever you could have been alone,” said Ermine.

“He does talk of doing things together, but, oh!  I feel as if I could never dare put out my hand again!”

“Not alone perhaps.”

“I like to hear him tell me about the soldiers’ children, and what he wants to have done for them.”

“You and I little thought what Lady Temple was to bring us,” said Ermine, cheerfully, “but you see we are not the strongest creatures in the world, so we must resign ourselves to our fate, and make the best of it.  They must judge how many imperfections they choose to endure, and we can only make the said drawbacks as little troublesome as may be.  Now, I think I see Miss Curtis watching in fear that I am over-talking you.”

“Oh, must you go?  You have really comforted me!  I wanted an external opinion very much, and I do trust yours!  Only tell me,” she added, holding Ermine’s hand, “is this indeed so with you?”

“Not yet,” said Ermine, softly, “do not speak about it, but I think you will be comforted to hear that this matter of yours, by leading to the matron’s confession, may have removed an obstacle that was far more serious in my eyes than even my own helplessness, willing as Colin was to cast both aside.  Oh, Rachel, there is a great deal to be thankful for.”