illumination he dare approach these things, strong to carve out a career for himself, yet for ever keeping his secret against his heart. Salvation is for the individual, each individual must find it for him or herself. Souls cannot be saved in batches. But to each and all it may, and will, come, if they have courage, and fortitude, and the single eye which refuses illusion. "And so farewell, yet never farewell, my first, and last, and only love," he said, looking at the osier-bound grave, while the shadows of the feathery yew-trees danced and beckoned upon the churchyard grass. "There have been partings before, cruel to be born; there may be partings again, but they will be transitory. I am not afraid that I shall ever lose you, or you me. I am secure in that. Meanwhile for your sake, O dear soul of me--for so indeed you are--I will make the best use of the years I may still have to live here on earth. And since you once were woman, no woman shall ever suffer at my hands--all womanhood being sacred thenceforth since you once were woman.--Now the work of the world calls, and, God helping me, I will help to do it. After all, dear love, we go forth together,--amen." * * * * * There are things Virginia does not quite comprehend in her husband. She tells the Van Reenan family, that "the English character is very obscure." But she has had no more dramatic moments in respect of that character. She pays a long visit yearly to "the other side," and is as popular as ever. On this side too she has had her social triumphs. The yellow drawing-room at Stoke Rivers has been rebuilt, but Laurence keeps it for his own use. He has moved the books into it from the libraries, thus giving Virginia a large suite of rooms for social entertainments. Lately, when the red flame of war threatened the integrity of the British Empire, Laurence went south; and for a time lived that larger life--in which woman takes her place, perhaps her safest one, as a hope or a memory merely--the life a man lives among men. Jack Bellingham volunteered also. He thinks Laurence a better fellow than ever; yet is perplexed at moments as to whether he has, or has not, developed--like so many of his family--into a thorough-paced crank. THE END _By the same author_ THE WAGES OF SIN THE CARISSIMA MRS. LORIMER A COUNSEL OF PERFECTION COLONEL ENDERBY'S WIFE LITTLE PETER