They waited, while in the darkness Ben received back his lost honour. When he spoke again it was with a shy confidence.
"Oh, well, I reckon ye'd better come home out o' t'wet, Connie. I wanted ye to kill yourself at first, and then I thought mebbe I'd better let you speak for yourself first. But if yon's false, what you've told me——"
"It's not."
He sighed wearily. "Oh, well, best come home, Connie."
"Do—do the others know?"
"Nay. An' they won't. This is our affair. T'letter's in my pocket. I'll burn it an' fake some tale. Coom on, Connie. I——" He had forgotten Muriel. They were alone together in a world new made.
"I want my child," said Ben.
They turned; he put his hand on her arm, and they went up the path together.
Muriel stood alone beside the river; then she too moved forward, following the lantern's light.