“Norman believes me dead long ago, and he need never be undeceived,” she thought. “Then, too, he will have our sweet little boy to comfort him, while I will pray for them both every night, and feel that I have done right to sacrifice my one chance of earthly happiness for another’s sake.”
Her resolve did not falter, although it had cost her so much to make it, and in the morning, when she went down to breakfast, she was pale as a lily, and the blue circles under her downcast eyes hinted at bitter tears shed in the lonely vigils of the night.
Colonel Falconer had come in an hour before from his wild mountain tramp, and appeared at breakfast freshly dressed, but wretchedly pale and weary-looking, with a despairing look in his eyes that it was impossible to hide.
The unhappy pair made a slight pretense at eating, then went out on the porch together, and Pansy said quietly:
“Let us walk up the mountain road a little way, that no one may overhear what I wish to say to you.”
They walked away out of earshot of Charles and Phebe, who had no idea that anything was wrong between their master and mistress, and then Colonel Falconer asked sadly:
“Have you made up your mind, dear?”
“Yes; I shall stay with you.”
He stared at her, speechless with wonder, until the warm color rose to her face; then he exclaimed:
“My dear Pansy, how could you do that? I explained to you, did I not, that our marriage was not legal?”