But she was in ignorance that much of his correspondence and hers had fallen into the hands of her ladyship and been destroyed.
As they walked on, talking as lovers will, she was thinking deeply, and full of regret that she dared not tell the truth to this man who, loving her so fondly, would, she knew, be prepared to make any sacrifice for her sake.

Suppose he knew the truth! Whatever sacrifice he made would, alas! not alter facts.

If she confessed, he would only hate her.

Ah, the tragedy of it all! Therefore she held her silence; she dared not speak lest she might lose his love.

She had no friend in whom she could confide.