"Be sorry for yourself. Well--and too well--I know you. I had to spy. I ban’t ashamed of it. There was nothing else but to tell him and let him spy. And I couldn’t do that till I knew. ’Tis all of a piece--all clear to any human mind--foul or fair. God judge me if I was quick to think evil. I was slow to do it. I fought not to believe it. I tried heart and soul not to see it. But you took good care I should see it. Wasn’t you always after him? Didn’t you meet him in secret places scores of times? How could I not see? And him coming to me; and you pretending to want me to take him. Yet ’twas no pretence neither, for ’twould have suited you both well enough. And David, working day and night, and trusting you, and always ready at a word to pleasure you. That proud of you and hungry for your happiness-- But it’s ended now. It ended to-day when I saw you in the wood. Not that I’ve not seen you kissing him afore--fawning on his hand, by God! I’ve watched--yes--and seen enough to know all I didn’t see. And he’s going to know it too--David. He’s got to know for his own honour’s sake, and he shall." "Will he believe it? Never! May God strike me here afore you, and kill me slow the awfullest way that ever woman died, if by thought or deed I’ve been false to him." "Ah! Even so the man talked, and he’s alive yet. But the A’mighty won’t forget either of you. You add lies to lies as he did. But I know they’re lies. You needn’t talk as if I was a fool; I know him well enough--none better. Did such as him--lecherous-minded beast that he was--dance about in lonely woods and secret places with you for nothing? If an angel from heaven told me you was honest I’d not believe it. And I’m stronger than you think--stronger far than you--with David, I mean. He knows I’m single-minded, anyway. He knows I’ve got no thought or hope in the whole world except his good. He knows right well that I’ve been a kind sister to you, and never done anything but strive for your happiness as well as his. Till now--till now. And he’ll believe me; for he knows that I couldn’t lie if I was tortured for speaking the truth. And I am tortured--tortured as never a woman was tortured yet. But he’s got to hear it; and he shall hear it afore that man goes. And, as for you, whether he believes me or you, God’s my eternal judge but I’ll never ope my mouth to you again as long as I live." She said no more and went up to her room. Margaret waited a while and then followed her; but Rhoda’s door was locked and she refused to answer when the other spoke.