"
This was my last argument, and when I had done she sat there for a long
time silent, resting her head against my knee, and scarcely breathing.
She was fighting it out with herself, and I thought it best to leave
her alone--besides, I had already said all there was to say; repetition
would only have irritated her, and there was nothing now for it but to
wait.
Outside, I could hear the dreary drip of raindrops; somewhere in the
room a clock ticked obtrusively; but it was long past midnight, and the
house was still. I thought that only the night and silence watched with
me, and waited upon the suffering of this one poor soul.
At last she moved, uttering a low moan, like one in pain.
"I do see it," she said, almost in a whisper; "and I am willing to give
him up."
"God in His mercy help you!" I prayed.
"And forgive me," she answered, humbly.
She was quite exhausted, and passively submitted when I led her to her
room. I closed the shutters to keep out the cheerless dawn, and made
the fire burn up, and lit the lamps. She sat silently watching me, and
did not seem to think it odd that I should do this for her.
Pages:
248
249
250
251
252
253
254
255
256
257
258
259
260
261
262
263
264
265
266
267
268
269
270
271
272