 She was profoundly interested,
and did not speak when Sidwell's voice failed.
    »You never suspected this?« asked the latter, in a few moments.
    »Not exactly that. What I did suspect was that Mr. Peak's departure resulted
from - your rejection of him.«
    »There is more to be told,« pursued Sidwell, in tremulous accents. »You must
know it all - because I need your help. No one here has learnt what took place
between us. Mr. Peak did not go away on that account. But - you remember being
puzzled to explain his orthodoxy in religion?«
    She paused. Sylvia gave a nod, signifying much.
    »He never believed as he professed,« went on Sidwell, hurriedly. »You were
justified in doubting him. He concealed the truth - pretended to champion the
old faiths« -
    For an instant she broke off, then hastened through a description of the
circumstances which had brought about Peak's discovery. Sylvia could not
restrain a smile, but it was softened by the sincere kindliness of her feeling.
    »And it was after this,« she inquired impartially, »that the decisive
conversation between you took place?«
    »No; just before Buckland's ánnouncement. We met again, after that. - Does
it seem incredible to you that I should have let the second meeting end as it
did?«
    »I think I understand. Yes, I know you well enough to follow it. I can even
guess at the defence he was able to urge.«
    »You can?« asked Sidwell, eagerly. »You see a possibility of his defending
himself?«
    »I should conjecture that it amounted to the old proverb, All's fair in love
and war. And, putting aside a few moral prejudices, one can easily enough
absolve him. - The fact is, I had long ago surmised that his motives in taking
to such a career had more reference to this world than the next. You know, I had
several long talks with him; I told you how he interested me. Now I can piece
together my conclusions.«
    »Still,« urged Sidwell, »you must inevitably regard him as ignoble - as
guilty of base deceit. I must hide nothing from you, having told so much. Have
you heard from anyone about his early life?«
    »Your mother told me some old stories.«
    Sidwell made an impatient gesture. In words of force and ardour, such as
never before had been at her command, she related
