Part 48 (2/2)
She was trembling in every limb, and her lips had grown so stiff and white that she could scarcely speak, but she gasped at last after a mighty effort:
”Scott, don't you know me?”
”Great G.o.d, Irene, is it you?”
”Yes, may I come home again?”
”Home! Irene, do you call this home? Your home should be with the husband of your choice--the man you love.”
”Oh, Scott, don't be cruel. I have come back to ask your forgiveness.”
”My forgiveness?” Scott repeated bitterly.
”Yes, I have found how n.o.ble, and how much better than other men you are.”
”I am very sorry,” he said, with a hard, cold expression, ”that you have found the goodness of my character when it is too late to answer your purpose.”
[Ill.u.s.tration: ”Scott! Don't you know me?”]
”Oh, Scott, my husband, do not turn me away; can you not forgive me?”
”Yes, Irene, I will try to forgive you.”
”And you will?” she said, starting to arise.
”I will forgive you all the wrong you have ever done me.”
”And you will take me home again?”
”Yes.”
”Oh, Scott, I wish I had known how good you were.”
”I am very sorry for you.”
”And, Scott, will you love me again?”
”Never.”
”Can't you take me back? Don't you see how I have suffered?”
”Sin brings its own punishment, and your sin has brought you yours. I cannot undo the past, neither can you. I said I would forgive you, and I will.”
”What is your forgiveness without your love? Don't you see that I never would have come back to you if I had not been forced to do so.”
”I suppose you would not; but let me ask you what you have done with the man you loved--your affinity?”
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