CHAPTER XVI.
As Esther walked away, demurely acquiescent, by the side of the Rev.Mr.
Macnair she was conscious of a conflict of emotions.

The sight of the doctor's disappointed face as he stood hat in hand, awoke regret and perhaps a trifle of girlish gratification.

She had been sorry herself to miss that half hour among the roses but she was still too young and too happy to know how few are such hours, how irrevocable such losses.

Also, it had seemed good to her maidenly pride that Dr.Callandar should know--well, that he should see--just exactly what he should know and see she did not formulate.

But underneath her temporary disappointment she felt as light and glad as a bird in springtime.
The minister was speaking, but he had been speaking for several moments before Esther's delighted flutter would permit of her listening to him.
When at last her thoughts came back she noticed, with a happy-guilty start, that his tone was one of dignified reproof.
"Naturally we all understand," he was saying, "at least I hope we all understand, that you are not primarily to blame.