“And was she very fond of you?” Edith went on quietly.
“I used to think she was.”
“But she was not true to you?”
“I do not blame her. I do not think it was her fault. Her people were wealthy, and I was poor, a poor teacher.”
“And it was this made you so cold and hard to me all last week?”
Mr. Santley did not answer at once.
It would be brutal to say yes, and he dared not hazard a denial.
“Oh, Charles, she never loved you as I have.”
“Never, never,” replied the vicar hurriedly; and a flush rose to his face.
“When you meet her, when you see her again,” said Edith, grasping his arm with earnest emphasis, “will you remember that? Promise me.”