Afterward, in the churchyard, a woman named Mrs.

Gable — who had been among the loudest in spreading the story that Vivienne had run off with a lover — came to us, unable to meet Vivienne’s eyes.

“Please forgive me, dear,” she whispered.

And Vivienne looked at her, calm and clear, and asked her the only question worth asking.

“Why were you so quick to believe I could do something so heartless?” The woman struggled, and then admitted the truth, which was the whole truth about all of it.

“Because it was easier to believe.” And Vivienne nodded slowly.