Would that it might remain a secret! If Jessie indeed knew of this morning's events, there was small likelihood that it would remain unknown to others; then the whole truth must be revealed.

Would it not be better to anticipate any such discovery, to tell her father this very day what had happened and why it was so painful to her?
Yet to speak of Dagworthy might make her father uneasy in his position at the mill--would inevitably do so.

Therein lay a new dread.

Was Dagworthy capable of taking revenge upon her father?
Oh surely, surely not!--The words passed her lips involuntarily.

She would not, she could not, believe so ill of him; had he not implored her to do him justice ?...
When Mr.Hood returned from business on the following day, he brought news that Dagworthy had at last gone for his holiday.