”

“Read your letter,” insisted Valancy.

Dr. Trent took it out — unfolded it — glanced over it. A dismayed look came into his face. He jumped to his feet and strode agitatedly about the room.

“Good heavens! This is the letter I meant for old Miss Jane Sterling. From Port Lawrence. She was here that day, too. I sent you the wrong letter. What unpardonable carelessness! But I was beside myself that night. My God, and you believed that — you believed — but you didn’t — you went to another doctor — ”

Valancy stood up, turned round, looked foolishly about her and sat down again.

“I believed it,” she said faintly.