Without preamble, or any attempt to influence the impression of the dreadful news, she began her story, softening the communication only by making it as the knowledge had come to her--telling first her mother's distress at Sarah's letter, then the contents of that letter, and then those of her uncle's. She could not have done it with greater fairness to her friend: his practised self-control had opportunity for perfect operation. But the result was more to her satisfaction than she could have dared to hope. He held out his hand with a smile, and said, "I am very sorry. What is there I can do?" She looked up in his eyes. They were looking down kindly and lovingly. "Then--then--," she said, "you don't--I mean there's no--I mean, you don't feel differently towards me?" "Towards you, my angel!" exclaimed Gartley, and held out his arms. She threw herself into them, and clung to him. It was the first time either of them had shown anything approaching to _abandon_. Gartley's heart swelled with delight, translating her confidence into his power. He was no longer the second person in the compact, but had taken the place belonging to the male contracting party! For he had been painfully conscious now and then that he played but second fiddle. They sat down and talked the whole thing over. Now that Hester was at peace she began to look at it from Gartley's point of view. "I am so sorry for you!" she said. "It is very sad you should have to marry into a family so disgraced. What _will_ your aunt say?" "My aunt will treat the affair like the sensible woman she is," replied the earl. "But there is no fear of disgrace; the thing will never be known. Besides, where is the family that hasn't one or more such loose fishes about in its pond? The fault was committed inside the family too, and that makes a great difference. It is not as if he'd been betting, and couldn't pay up!" From the heaven of her delight Hester fell prone. Was this the way her almost husband looked at these things? But, poor fellow! how could he help looking at them so? Was it not thus he had been from earliest childhood taught to look at them? The greater was his need of all she could do for him! He was so easy to teach anything! What she saw clear as day it could not be hard to communicate to one who loved as he loved! She would say nothing now--would let him see no sign of disappointment in her! "If he don't improve," continued his lordship, "we must get him out of the country. In the meantime he will go home, and not a suspicion will be roused. What else should he do, with such a property to look after?" "My father will not see it so," answered Hester. "I doubt if he will ever speak to him again. Certainly he will not except he show some repentance." "Has your father refused to have him home?" "He has not had the chance. Nobody knows what has become of him."