Edith followed her husband's retreat with a gaze full of troubled surprise. Mr. Holt quietly took Howard's seat, and said, kindly:
"We have grown very near together in all spiritual thought, have we not? Then, let us be frank in all truth between us. Your husband, Mrs. Hester, does not like me. No, do not gainsay the fact. I read his thoughts in his scrutiny of me. He misjudges the "Mormon," as most people do,—such is the way of the world's judgments!" He handed her a book. "Read this, and learn precious truth as I could scarcely give it."
"Thank you," she said earnestly, her embarrassment at her husband's show of feeling making her ashamed to say many words.
Her husband approached unnoticed.
"Edith, I would like you to return Mr. Holt's present."
Edith turned to meet the first real anger in her husband's eyes.
She arose, and drawing herself to her fullest height, she faced him in sudden indignation.
Mr. Holt arose also, and, looking from one to the other kindly, he said calmly:
"I regret this, believe me. Had I known—"
"Edith," interrupted Howard, with a slight rise in his voice, ignoring Holt's presence entirely, "will you please oblige me?"