 Adela. I couldn't refuse him; I felt I had no right
to; he spoke in such a way. But I am very sorry to have so displeased you, dear.
I didn't think you would take anything amiss that I did in all sincerity. I am
sure there has been some wretched mistake, something worse than a mistake,
depend upon it. But I won't say any more. And I think I'll go now, Adela.«
    Adela spoke in a tone of measured gravity which was quite new in her.
    »You have not displeased me, Letty. I don't think you have been to blame in
any way; I am sure you had no choice but to do as he asked you. You have
repeated all he said?«
    »Yes, all; all the words, that is. There was something that I can't repeat.«
    »And if I consented to see him, how was he to know?«
    »I promised to write to him. He is staying at Agworth.«
    »You mustn't do that, dear. I will write to him myself, then I can thank him
for returning the book. What is his address?«
    Letty gave it.
    »It is, of course, impossible for me to see him,« pursued Adela, still in
the same measured tones. »If I write myself it will save you any more trouble.
Forget it, if I seemed unkind, dear.«
    »Adela, I can't forget it. You are not like yourself, not at all. Oh, how I
wish this had happened sooner! Why - why can't you see him, darling? I think you
ought to; I do really think so.«
    »I must be the best judge of that, Letty. Please let us speak of it no
more.«
    The sweet girl-face was adamant, its expression a proud virginity; an
ascetic sternness moulded the small, delicate lips. Letty's countenance could
never have looked like that.
    Left to herself again, Adela took the parcel upon her lap and sat dreaming.
It was long before her face relaxed; when it did so, the mood that succeeded was
profoundly sorrowful. One would have said that it was no personal grief that
absorbed her, but compassion for the whole world's misery.
    When at length she undid the wrapping, her eye was at once caught by the
papers within the volume. She started, and seemed afraid to touch the book
