“‘You have told me these antecedents, and your most fastidious sense of honor is satisfied. I know the secret, and still pray for the honor of your daughter’s hand, as I believe I have already the blessing of her love. Pray go, therefore, to your daughter, ask her if she considers you a man of honor and integrity worthy of her trust. Of course, she will earnestly, and with wonder and indignation at such a question, assure you that she does. You will then please tell her of my renewed proposals and assure her, in turn, that on your honor as a peer, and your faith as a Christian, she may accept my hand without revealing her secret, and without detriment to her conscience.’ “The earl remained plunged in thought for a few minutes, and then replied: “‘I believe you have found a way out of the labyrinth. I will do as you request upon one condition.’ “I asked him what it was. He answered: “‘That you never tell my daughter that you knew her secret. She is so morbid on that point, I believe she would die if she thought you knew it.’ “I promised. And, Elfrida, darling, you know the rest. We married, each having a secret from the other—yours the secret of your first marriage, mine the secret of the forbidden knowledge of that marriage. Did I not say that I should offer confession for confession?” CHAPTER XLIV LOVE STRONGER THAN FATE “Oh, Abel! what did you think of me all that time?” “I thought that you were the loveliest, yet the most morbid, woman, upon one point, on the face of the earth. Often when I looked at you and saw you preoccupied and very sorrowful, I wished that you would be brave enough to tell me your trouble and so relieve your heart and find rest in my sympathy. But you never took courage to speak of it, and I was bound by my promise to the late earl never to reveal my knowledge unless you should first trust me with your secret. You have done so at last, and enabled me to make my confession also.” “And oh! Abel, you educated my son!” “Our son. I adopted him when I married his mother.” “Oh, Abel! Noble heart!”