Calm？—no：　but　happy—to　the　heart’s　core。”

I　looked　up　at　him　to　read　the　signs　of　bliss　in　his　face：　it　was　ardent　and　flushed。

“Give　me　your　confidence；　Jane；”　he　said：　“relieve　your　mind　of　any　weight　that　oppresses　it；　by　imparting　it　to　me。　What　do　you　fear？—that　I　shall　not　prove　a　good　husband？”

“It　is　the　idea　farthest　from　my　thoughts。”

“Are　you　apprehensive　of　the　new　sphere　you　are　about　to　enter？—of　the　new　life　into　which　you　are　passing？”

“No。”

“You　puzzle　me；　Jane：　your　look　and　tone　of　sorrowful　audacity　perplex　and　pain　me。　I　want　an　explanation。”

“Then；　sir；　listen。　You　were　from　home　last　night？”

“I　was：　I　know　that；　and　you　hinted　a　while　ago　at　something　which　had　happened　in