‘May I come?’ she asked, looking at him steadily

He beckoned with his head.  She closed the door, and came slowly forward, stopping at a few paces from him.

‘Harvey ——­’

‘Well?’

’I want you to decide tonight.  If you think it would be better for both of us, let me go.  I shouldn’t part from you unkindly; I don’t mean that.  I should ask you to let me have money as long as I needed it.  But you know that I could support myself very soon.  If you think it better, do say so, and we’ll talk about it as friends.’

’I don’t think anything of the kind.  I shouldn’t let you go, say what you might.’

‘You wouldn’t?  But if you find that you can’t believe me ——­’

‘It would make no difference, even that.  But I do believe you.’

She drew nearer, looking wistfully into his face.

’But she has made her husband believe her.  You will always think of that —­ always.’

’You must remember, Alma, that I have no serious reason for doubting her word.’

She uttered a cry of distress.

‘Then you doubt mine! —­ you doubt mine!’

’Nonsense, dear.  Do try to think and talk more reasonably.  What is it to you and me whether she was guilty or not?  I may doubt your judgment about her, and yet believe perfectly all you tell me about yourself.’

‘Then you think I have slandered her?’

’There’s no earthly use in talking about it.  You can give no reasons; you have no reasons.  Your suspicion may be right or wrong; I don’t care the toss of a button.  All I know is, that we mustn’t talk of it.  Sit down and be quiet for a little.  Oughtn’t you to eat something before you go up?’

Alma put her hands upon his shoulders, bending her face so as to hide it from him.

’Dear —­ if you could just say that you believe me; not about myself —­ I know you do —­ but about her.  Could you say that?’

He hesitated, all a man’s common-sense in revolt against the entreaty; but he saw her quiver with a sob, and yielded.

‘Very well, I will believe that too.’

Her touch became an embrace, gentle and timid; she threw her head back, gazing at him in rapture.

‘You will never again doubt it?’

‘Never again.’

’Oh, you are good! —­ you are kind to me, dear!  And will you love me a little?  Do you think you can, just a little?’

His answer satisfied her, and she lay in his arms, shedding tears of contentment.  Then, for a long time, she talked of the new life before them.  She would be everything he wished; no moment’s trouble should ever again come between him and her.  Nothing now had any charm for her but the still, happy life of home; her ambitions were all dead and buried.  And Harvey answered her with tenderness; forgetting the doubt, refusing to look forward, knowing only that Alma had a place for ever in his heart.