We have kept her absolutely unspotted from the world. But
I knew it was my duty to tell you the whole shameful story. If worst
comes to worst, you will be obliged to tell your son perhaps, and if
he doubts the story send him to me for its verification."
Worst came to the worst before twenty-four hours had passed. The
rector received word that Mrs Irving was rapidly failing, and went to
act the part of spiritual counsellor to the invalid, and sympathetic
friend to the suffering girl.
When he returned his mother watched his face with eager, anxious
eyes. He looked haggard and ill, as if he had passed through a
severe ordeal. He could talk of nothing but the beautiful and brave
girl, who was about to lose her one worshipped companion, and who ere
many hours passed would stand utterly alone in the world.
"I never saw you so affected before by the troubles and sorrows of
your parishioners," Mrs Stuart said. "I wonder, Arthur, why you take
the sorrows of this family so keenly to heart."
The young rector looked his mother full in the face with calm, sad
eyes. Then he said slowly:
"I suppose, mother, it is because I love Joy Irving with all my
heart. You must have suspected this for some time. I know that you
have, and that the thought has pained you. You have had other and
more ambitious aims for me.
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