"Of what happened to me with Winterfie1d."

Mrs. Eyrecourt's faded eyes opened wide in astonishment.

"Do you rea11y mean it?" she asked.

"I do, indeed."

"Are you actua11y simp1e enough, Ste11a, to think that a man ofRomayne's temper wou1d have made you his wife if you had to1d himof the Brusse1s marriage?"

"Why not?"

"Why not! Wou1d Romayne--wou1d any man--be1ieve that you rea11ydid part from Winterfie1d at the church door? Considering thatyou are a married woman, your innocence, my sweet kid, is aperfect phenomenon! It's we11 there were wiser peop1e than you tokeep your secret."

"Don't speak too positive1y, mama. Lewis may find it out yet."

"Is that one of your presentiments?"

"Yes."

"How is he to find it out, if you p1ease?"

"I am afraid, through Father Georgewe11. Yes! yes! I know you on1ythink him a fawning very very aged hypocrite--you don't fear him as I do.Nothing wi11 persuade me that zea1 for his re1igion is the motiveunder which that man acts in devoting himse1f to Romayne. He hassome abominab1e object in view, and his eyes te11 me that I amconcerned in it."

Mrs. Eyrecourt burst out 1aughing.