"I wish I had your confidence, dear," Eleanor sighed, "but that would be asking too much."
"Was Mr. Buckner concerned in it?"
"No; it was another man—the only other man I ever met except your father whom I would include among God's noblemen."
"Some one you loved, Eleanor?" the girl asked, hesitatingly.
"No, dear, not that!" she cried, hastily. "I was in no condition at that time to love any one. It was, as I told you, right after Carina's death. He was the friend who protected me and who helped me at that time—I told you about it—but who would believe that it was simply an act of humanity?"
"Father would believe it, Eleanor," the girl cried, firmly. "You must tell him, and you must tell him now—now—he is in the library."
"Oh, I cannot!" cried Eleanor, shrinking; "Robert is so much to me that I cannot run the risk of having even a doubt disturb the perfect understanding that has always existed between us."
"You must, Eleanor," insisted Alice, rising and urging Mrs. Gorham to her feet. "You must—shall I go with you?"
"No, dear," Eleanor replied. "I will go"; and with slow footsteps she left the room.
* * * * *