Part 69 (1/2)
”And what did you see?”
”I saw that you were hiding something, from everybody but me.
Tell it now.”
”Christian, it was not anything good.”
”Confess your faults one to another, then,” said he. ”What is the use of having friends?”
”You would not be pleased to hear of my faults.”
I could see, even in the dim light, the flash of his eye as it looked into mine.
”How many, Daisy?”
”Anger,” I said; - ”and resentment; and - self-will.”
”What raised the anger?” said he; a different tone coming into his own voice.
”Preston. His way of talking.”
”About me?”
”Yes. I cannot get over it.”
And I thought I should have broken down at that minute. My fan-play ceased. Christian held my hand very fast, and after a few minutes began again -
”Does he know you are angry, Daisy?”
”Yes, he does; for I told him as much.”
”Did you tell him sharply?”
”No. I told him coldly.”
”Go over and say that you have forgiven him.”
”But I have not forgiven him.”
”You know you must.”
”I cannot, just yet, Christian. To-morrow, perhaps I can.”
”You must do it to-night, Daisy. You do not know what else you may have to do before to-morrow, that you will want the spirit of love for.”
I was silent a little, for I knew that was true.
”Well? -” said he.
”What can I do?” I said. ”I suppose it will wear out; but just now I have great displeasure against Preston. I cannot tell him I forgive him. I have not forgiven him.”
”And do not want to forgive him?”
I was again silent, for the answer would have had to be an affirmative.