I hope that it--," stammered Valencia.
"You hope that it was a comfort to me?
It was; and I shall be always grateful to you for it." Valencia heard an emphasis on the "was." It checked the impulse (foolish enough) which rose in her, to bid him keep the ring.
So, prim and dignified, she slipped it into its place on her finger, and went on with her work; merely saying,-- "I need not say that I am happy that anything which I could do should have been of use to you in such a fearful time." "It was a fearful time! but for myself, I cannot be too glad of it.

God grant that it may have been as useful to others as to me! It cured me of a great folly.

Now I look back, I am astonished at my own absurdity, rudeness, presumption .-- You must let me say it!--I do not know how to thank you enough, I cannot trust myself with the fit words, they would be so strong: but I owe this confession to you, and to your exceeding goodness and kindness, when you would have been justified in treating me as a madman.

I was mad, I believe: but I am in my right mind now, I assure you," said he gaily.

"Had I not been, I need hardly say you would not have seen me here.