“Miss Moffat, you forget,” he said.
“No, I do not forget,” she answered. “Take it as a sign that the old has ended and the new begun.”
Stooping down, he pressed his lips upon it; then without uttering a word strode back along the path he had come.
She stood till she could distinguish his figure no longer, and watched him through the darkness drifting out of her life.
When she reached Maryville, she found Dr. Girvan waiting for her.
“I have come to tell you, Miss Moffat,” he began, “that I am ashamed of myself, and whatever may come of it, good or harm, I will go to him, we both know about, and say just whatever you bid me.”
“Thank you a thousand times over,” she answered. “But I have been to him to-night, and he will leave Kingslough to-morrow.”
“God be praised,” exclaimed the doctor devoutly.
The opportunity was irresistible to Grace.
“I hope you are not premature in your thanksgiving,” she said. “His successor may prove as great a thorn in your side as he has done.”