"Oh, mamma, how tiresome! How very tiresome!" she faltered. "I have been away so long; I must go back!" "My dearest, my most precious child, don't grieve yourself! It is all right! You are with those that love you, and will take care of you," was the cooing answer. "There is no need for fear, my Virgie." "It isn't fear. It is breaking my word," stammered the girl, knowing that her words sounded like nonsense, but feeling explanation too difficult. Mrs. Mynors, without speaking, brought her a cup of strong broth which was keeping warm over a little lamp. "I have sent that poor, good Grover out for a walk," said she. "She is not as young as she was, and the nursing has tired her. But I had another reason for sending her away when you should wake. I wanted to be alone with you." She did not say this until the soup had been drunk, and Virginia felt refreshed. "Why, mamma?" Her mother sank to her knees beside the bed, holding her hand. "My darling," said she, half sobbing, "there is no more need for concealment between your mother and you. When you were delirious I sat beside you--I had to listen to what you said--and I know--I know your pitiful secret." There was a long, deep silence. At last Virginia spoke. "Mother, tell me what you mean. What do you know?" "I know that Osbert has been cruel to you. I know that you go in fear of his cruelty," came the whispered answer. There was another silence. "Well, mamma, if that were true? I do not say it is true, but if it were, what then?" "What then? Why, Virgie, then you must be rescued from him. He must be a madman if he could ill-treat you, and the law will protect you against him." For a moment the eyes of the girl in the bed lit up with a flaming hope. For a moment she turned to her mother with a rush of eager, palpitating confidence. Then a new look crossed her face, which grew composed and firm. Her voice was not sad, but steady as she replied: "I have sworn." "Sworn, Virgie? Darling, what do you mean by that?" "I have sworn to love him," was the answer. "I am his wife." "But, Virginia, if he has failed to keep his oath?" "You think that absolves me from keeping mine?" There was a faint smile on the girl's lips, and her mother thought, as she so often did, that she never as long as she lived should understand her daughter. "But, of course, dear, you are under no obligation to endure cruelty. The law----" Virginia raised herself upon her elbow. "I _am_ under an obligation to endure it," she replied. "I have sworn to love him, and while he wishes me to be with him, I shall be with him. He has done all he undertook to do. He has done more. He has not only given you comfort and security, not only provided funds for this marvellous cure of Pansy's; he has let me come to you, and stay all this time, because he trusted me. He knew I should go back, because I have promised to do so. I am going back."