So he agreed to go, and I said I would have a girl friend to stay with me. But, of course, as soon as he was gone, I just left the house and departed. I had got evidence enough by then to set me free--about the Italian girl. I met my brother in Winnipeg. We went to his lawyers together, and I began proceedings--" She stopped abruptly. "The rest I told you.--_No!_--I've told you the horrible things--now I'll say something of the things which--have made life worth living again. Till the divorce was settled I went back to my brother in Toronto. I dropped my married name then and called myself Henderson. And then I came home--because my mother's brother, who was a manufacturer in Bradford, wrote to ask me. But when I arrived he was dead, and he had left me three thousand pounds. Then I went to Swanley and got trained for farm-work. And I found Janet Leighton, and we made friends. And I love farm-work--and I love Janet--and the whole world looks so different to me! Why, of course, I didn't want to be reminded of that old horrible life! I didn't want people to say, 'Mrs. Delane? Who and where is her husband? Is he dead?' 'No--she's divorced.' 'Why?' There's!--don't you see?--all the old vile business over again! So I cut it all!" She paused--resuming in another voice--hesitating and uncertain,-- "And yet--it seems--you can't do a simple thing like that without--hurting somebody--injuring somebody. I can't help it! I didn't mean to deceive _you_. But I had a right to get free from the old life if I could!" She threw back her head proudly. Her eyes were full of tears. Then she rose impetuously. "There!--I've told you. I suppose you don't want to be friends with me any more. It was rotten of me, I know, for, of course--I saw--you seemed to be getting to care for me. I told Janet when we set up work together that I wasn't a bad woman. And I'm not. But I'm weak. You'd better not trust me. And besides--I fell into the mud--and I expect it sticks to me still!" She spoke with passionate animation--almost fierceness. While through her inner mind there ran the thought, "I've told him!--I've told him! If he doesn't understand, it's not my fault. I can always say, 'I _did_ tell you--about Roger--_and the rest_!--as much as I was bound to tell you.' Why should I make him miserable--and destroy my own chances with him for _nothing_?" They stood fronting each other. Over the fine bronzed face of the forester there ran a ripple of profound emotion--nostril and lip--and eye. Then she found herself in his arms--with no power to resist or free herself. Two or three deep, involuntary sobs--sobs of excitement--shook her, as she felt his kisses on her cheek. "Darling!--I'll try and make up to you--for all you've suffered. Poor child!--poor little Rachel!" She clung to him, a great wave of passion sweeping through her also. She thought, "Now I shall be happy!--and I shall make him happy, too. Of course I shall!--I'm doing quite right."