Page:Alice Stuyvesant - The Vanity Box.djvu/169

 early training and convictions warred against her sympathy and pity for a girl sacrificing truth to protect her lover. At last she said, laying her hand on Nora's hand: "I think it would depend a great deal upon circumstances. I hate lies. As a rule they're mean and cowardly, and debase one's moral nature even if they do no harm to anybody but oneself. Yet—there might be exceptions, perhaps. I'm not sure that I wouldn t lie, to save a friend. Indeed, I'm afraid I would do it. I'm afraid most women would."

"Oh, thank you for that!" Nora's voice broke, but she caught back a sob. To hear you say it, is like—like being lifted off the rack. Of course, I've put myself in your power now. But I trust you. I know I can.

"Yes, you can," said Terry. "I believe we shall do each other good, by being together. And Sir Ian"

"You're not being so good to me, to please him? You said it wasn't just that, didn't you? Because if it were, I simply couldn't accept your kindness, I can't explain why."

The dull ache in Terry's breast was heavier and harder to bear for a moment, at this hint of Miss Verney's, for something seemed to whisper in Terry's ear: "You see: you were right. He does care for her, and she knows it." But the woman's higher nature fought against the jealous pain, and tried to