The tears were forcing their way into my eyes in spite of me--the horror

of it was to be endured no longer.

"You shall know that you have wronged me, yet," I said. "Or you shall

never see me again!"

With those words, I left her. She started up from the chair on which she

had dropped the moment before: she started up--the noble creature!--and

followed me across the outer room, with a last merciful word at parting.

"Franklin!" she said, "I forgive you! Oh, Franklin, Franklin! we shall

never meet again. Say you forgive ME!"

I turned, so as to let my face show her that I was past speaking--I

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turned, and waved my hand, and saw her dimly, as in a vision, through

the tears that had conquered me at last.

The next moment, the worst bitterness of it was over. I was out in the

garden again. I saw her, and heard her, no more.




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