The Womans Way

It may be noted, by the student of human nature, that neither of them

had spoken of the woman for whom Derrick had been ready to sacrifice his

good name, his life itself. Perfect love means perfect faith, and they

were so sure of each other's love and faith, that it may be said neither

of them gave the other woman a thought; and if they had done so, Celia

would not have been jealous of the past, and Derrick would have regarded

the boyish passion of which he had been so completely cured, as

something nebulous and unimportant. At that moment, he was capable of

thinking only of Celia; the past was like a dream, his heart was in the

present and future; and his happiness was alloyed by one regret

only--that he had concealed from Celia his real name and his connection

with the Heytons. But, as he walked on air towards the village, he told

himself that such concealment would not long be necessary, that he would

tell her the next time they met.