years, wanted help and counsel, they have come to me. If I have sometimes been unhappy, the feeling has passed away. If I have ever had a burden on my heart, it has been lightened for me. If I have any secret, it is — no new one; and is — not what you suppose. I cannot reveal it, or divide it. It has long been mine, and must remain mine.’

‘Agnes! Stay! A moment!’

She was going away, but I detained her.

I clasped my arm about her waist. ‘In the course of years!’ ‘It is not a new one!’ New thoughts and hopes were whirling through my mind, and all the colours of my life were changing.

‘Dearest Agnes! Whom I so respect and honour — whom I so devotedly love!