Rachel's heart seemed to stop beating; she could not speak. What had she done, what had she done? And Eva was guilty!
The golden head sank lower.
"Rachel, it's almost killed me. If any one thinks it's happiness to do such a thing, it isn't. The way—the way of the transgressor is hard; God only knows how hard is the way!"
Rachel raised her gently and put her in the chair, then she knelt down beside her and held her in her arms.
"I'd gladly die if I could undo it," Eva said brokenly, "but I can't. It's like a trap; I'm caught, I can't get away from my sins."
"Eva, do you—still love him?"
"You mean Belhaven?" Eva hid her face on Rachel's shoulder. "Never, never a moment after I saw he was afraid of Johnstone!"
"Thank God!"
"What does it matter?" Eva was in despair. "What does anything matter? I can't undo it! I don't think he'll let you get a divorce; he said it wouldn't do any good. Oh, Rachel, I'm so wretched! What can I do?"
"You can tell the truth to Johnstone now, Eva."