It was not so stated to him by either Mr.Dinneford or Edith, but he was a prudent man, and careful of the good fame of his patients.

Family affairs he held as sacred trusts.

We'll he knew that there had been a tragedy in this home--a tragedy for which he was in part, he feared, responsible; and he did not care to look into it too closely.

But of all that was involved in this tragedy he really knew little.

Social gossip had its guesses at the truth, often not very remote, and he was familiar with these, believing little or much as it suited him.
It is not surprising that Edith's father, on seeing the letter of Lloyd Freeling, echoed his daughter's words, "Better so!" Not a tear was shed on the grave of Mrs.Dinneford.Husband and daughter saw her body carried forth and buried out of sight with a feeling of rejection and a sense of relief.