"But do you mean to say," asked Mrs. Mortomley, "that you intend to go away and never return to England?" "That is precisely my meaning." "And what will Leonora say?" "She will be very much shocked at first, I do not doubt," was the reply; "but eventually, I hope, she will understand I took the best course possible under the circumstances, and that brings me to the favour I want you to do me. I want you to take charge of this parcel, and give it to my wife at the end of six months. Give it to her when she is alone, and do not mention in the meantime to any one that you have seen me, or that a packet from me is in your possession. You understand what I mean?" "I think so," said Dolly. "There is money in the packet, and--" "You are shrewder than I thought," he remarked. "There is money in that parcel. You understand now why I ask you to take charge of it? Have you any objection to do so?" "None whatever," was the quick reply. "And if questions are asked?" "I know nothing," she answered. "You will be silent to Leonora?" "Yes. I understand what you want, and I will do it. Tell me one thing, however. Some day Leonora will join you?" "I have faith that it is not impossible," he said, rising as he spoke. "Good-bye, Mrs. Mortomley. God bless you." And without thought he put out his hand. Then Dolly drew back, flushing crimson. "I do this for your wife, Mr. Werner," she said, "not for you. I cannot forget." "You can forgive though, I hope," he pleaded. "Mrs. Mortomley, I wish before we part you would say, 'I forgive you, and I hope God will.' It is not a long sentence." "It is a hard one," she answered; "so hard that I cannot say it." "For my wife's sake?" "One cannot forgive for the sake of a third person, however dear." "Do you remember how you wished, or said you should wish, but for her, that I might be beggared and ruined--beggared more completely, ruined more utterly than you had been? The words have never died out of my memory." "Did I say so?" Dolly asked, a little shocked, as people are sometimes apt to be, at the sound of their own hot words repeated in cold blood. "I have no doubt," she went on, "that I meant every syllable at the time, but I ought not to have meant it--I am sure I should not wish my worst enemy to pass through all we have been compelled to endure." "In that case it will be the easier for you to shake hands and say we part friends."