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sweetest little girls God ever made—but something different. Well, I suppose it’s natural to think the worst and not the best of human nature. But it’s so damned disgusting that your unselfish kindness should have brought this on your head that when I think of it I can’t go on writing. The words I want to use aren’t fit for you to read. Ford told me this evening that it would be better for me not to see you at all at present; and better that you shouldn’t go to my solicitor. Ford is a good chap and if you go to see him tomorrow—his office is in Field’s Buildings in Wells Street—he’ll tell you what to do.

“I’m leaving for Tirau by the service car at seven in the morning. To think that it’s through me your name should be dragged in the mud like this makes me feel—no, I can’t tell you what I feel—it’s beyond telling. It doesn’t seem possible that the case will ever come into Court. But in a place like Wairiri, rumors of it are sure to get about, and it’s bound to injure you. When I think of that—well shooting myself now wouldn't do any good—I’d only make matters worse. And I gave you my promise too about that. I’m not good at expressing my thoughts, but that night to me you were like my mother and my child and the Virgin Mary.

Ann read this letter through to the end, standing near the window in the fading light. Then she drew the curtains, switched on the electric light, and pulling her chair up to one of the tables, pushed the hat stands n one side, laid the closely covered sheet of