But, no! Had she borne the contempt and scorn of all her acquaintances and friends to break down now, and disclose her secret to the man of all others from whom Cardo desired to keep the knowledge of it?
No, she would die rather than divulge it--and with an earnest prayer for strength she remained silent, for in silence alone she had taken refuge since her troubles had come upon her.
"Speak, girl, I implore you! Tell me, is this true ?" His voice trembled, and he came a step nearer to her.

"Tell me that it is true, and I will forgive you and him, for I shall then have a hope that his love for you will bring him home, though he has no love for me." And completely overcome by his feeling's he dropped on his knees by the table, and, leaning his head on his arms, broke into a torrent of tears.

"Oh, Cardo, Cardo, my boy!" he cried.

"Come back to me." There was no answer from Valmai, and when he raised his head again she was gone.

At the words, "Oh! Cardo, Cardo," she had fled down the aisle, out into the golden sunshine, down the rugged path to the shore, where behind a huge boulder she flung herself down on the sands, crying out in a long pent-up agony of tears, "Oh Cardo, Cardo, come back!" The morning hours passed on, and noontide drew near.
The "Vicare du" emerged from the church porch, pale and calm as usual.
He looked at his watch as he came out into the sunshine, and followed the same path over which Valmai had sped an hour before.