Calm？—no： but happy—to the heart’s core。”
I looked up at him to read the signs of bliss in his face： it was ardent and flushed。
“Give me your confidence； Jane；” he said： “relieve your mind of any weight that oppresses it； by imparting it to me。 What do you fear？—that I shall not prove a good husband？”
“It is the idea farthest from my thoughts。”
“Are you apprehensive of the new sphere you are about to enter？—of the new life into which you are passing？”
“No。”
“You puzzle me； Jane： your look and tone of sorrowful audacity perplex and pain me。 I want an explanation。”
“Then； sir； listen。 You were from home last night？”
“I was： I know that； and you hinted a while ago at something which had happened in