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 removed. She could not let him read it now, the house being in full bustle of preparation; and descending to her own room she destroyed the letter there.

She was so pale when he saw her again that he felt quite anxious. The incident of the misplaced letter overwhelmed her; what could she do at this late moment? Everything was in a stir; there was coming and going; all had to dress, the dairyman and Mrs. Crick having been asked to accompany them as witnesses; and reflection or deliberate talk were well-nigh impossible. The only minute Tess could get to be alone with Clare was when they met upon the landing.

‘I am so anxious to talk to you—I want to confess all my faults and blunders!’ she said with attempted lightness.

‘No, no—we can’t have faults talked of—you must be deemed perfect to-day at least, Sweet!’ he cried. ‘We shall have plenty of time, hereafter, I hope, to talk over our failings. I will confess mine at the same time.’

‘But it would be better for me to do it now, I think, so that you could not say’