"Oh, I was so disappointed, and sore, and--angry! That was it, just plain angry. I had been going with Jack all along when Hugh didn't come for me, and Jack came the very night after Hugh went away, and took me for a long ride. He told me how terribly jealous he had been, and how thankful he was that Hugh was out of the way at last, and that Peter was going, too. So I laughed, and said that Peter didn't count at all, and that I hated Hugh--of course neither of those things was true, but I was so hurt, I felt _I'd_ like to hurt somebody, too. And finally, I blurted out how mean Hugh had been, to make me think he cared for me, when he was just--having a good time. Then Jack said, 'Well, _I_ care about you--I'm just crazy over you.' 'I don't believe you,' I said; 'I'll never believe any man again.' Just to tease him--that was all.' I'll show you whether I love you,' he said, and began to kiss me. I think he had been drinking--he does, you know. Of course, I ought to have stopped him, but I--had let Hugh--it meant a lot to me, too--the first time. But after I found it didn't mean anything to him--it didn't seem to matter--if some one else _did_--kiss me--I was flattered--and pleased--and--comforted. You mustn't think that what--happened afterwards--was all Jack's fault. I think I could have stopped it even then--if he'd been sober, anyway. But I didn't guess--I never dreamed--how far you could--get carried away--and how quickly. Oh, Sylvia, why didn't somebody tell me? At home--in the sunshine--with people all around you--it's like another world--you're like another person--than when there's nothing but stillness and darkness everywhere, and a man who loves you, pleading, with his arms around you-- "And afterwards I thought no one would ever know. Jack thought so, too. Besides, you see, he is crazy to marry me--he'd give anything to. But I wouldn't marry him for anything in the world--whatever happened--the great ignorant, dirty drunkard! Only he isn't unkind--or cowardly--don't think that--or let the others think so! He's willing to take his share of the blame--he's _sorry_-- "Then, just a little while ago--I began to be afraid of--what had happened. But I didn't know much about that, either. I thought, some way, I might be mistaken--I hoped so, anyhow. I wanted to come--and tell you all about it--but I didn't dare. I never saw you kiss Austin but once--you're so quiet when you're with him, Sylvia, and other people are around--and it was--it was just like--_a prayer_. After seeing that, I _couldn't_ come to you--with my story--unless _I had_ to--I felt as if it would be just like throwing mud on a flower.