"If you give me your word of honor," Vera faltered, "that you——"
"No, no," Geoffrey cried. "I merely state the facts and you may believe them or not as you please. Who Mrs. May is I decline to say. How I became, acquainted with her I also decline to explain. Suffice it that she is Mrs. May, and that she has rooms at Jessop's farm."
"And that is all you are going to tell me, Geoffrey?"
"Yes, Vera. If you have lost faith in me——"
"Oh, no, no! Don't say such cruel things, Geoff. Whom have I beyond my parents and you in the whole world! And when I found that letter, when I knew what you said about Alton was—was not true——"
She paused unable to proceed. Her little hands went out imploringly and Geoffrey caught them in his own. He drew her to his side and gazed into her eyes.
"Darling," he whispered, "you know that I love you?"
"Yes, dear, it was foolish of me to doubt it."
"I love you now and always. I can never change. I did not intend to tell you about this woman because it was all part of the secret. The wise man among us has said it, and his word is law. I am speaking of Uncle Ralph."
Vera nodded with a brighter glance. Had not she a secret in common with Ralph?