be considered--and what did I know about God's purposes? He refused to
take my scruples into consideration, except such as concerned her. But,
after a long argument, very painful, weak as we were and whispering in the
dark, he yielded this much. If I were bent on digging up the dead, as he
called it, it must be done in such a way as to leave her free. Free she
was in law, and she must be given a chance to claim her freedom without
talk or publicity. Absolute secrecy he demanded of me in the mean time. I
begged him to see how unfair it was to her to bring her face to face with
such a discovery without one word of preparation, of excuse for him. She
would condemn him on the very fact of his being alive. So she would, he
said, if she were going to judge him; not if she felt towards him as--as a
wife feels to her husband. It was that he wanted to know. It was that or
nothing he would have from her. 'Bring me face to face with her alone, and
as sudden as you like. If she knows me, I am the man. And if she wants me
back, she will know me--and that way I'll come and no other way.' Was not
that wonderful? A gentleman could hardly have improved on that. Whatever
feeling he might be supposed to have towards her in the matter we could
never touch upon. But I think he had his hopes. That decision was hanging
over us--and I trembled for her. Day before yesterday, was it, I persuaded
her to see the sick guide. She wondered why I was faint as she kissed me
good-by. I ought to have prepared her. It was a horrible snare. And yet he
meant it all in delicacy, a passionate consideration for her. Poor fool.
How could I prepare _him!_ How could he keep pace with the changes in her!
After all, it is externals that make us,--habits, clothes. Great God!
Things you could not speak of to a naked soul like him. But he would have
it 'straight,' he said--and straight he got it. And he is gone; broke away
like an animal out of a trap. And I am going to find him, to see at least
that he has a roof over his head. God knows, he may not die for years!"

"She has got years before her too."