"We have had a sermon on the forgiveness of injuries, Mr.
Redmain," she said.
"By Jove!" interrupted her husband, "it would have been more to
the purpose if I, or poor Mary Marston, had had it; for I swear
you put our souls in peril!"
"The ring was no common one, Mr. Redmain; and the young woman
had, by leaving the house, placed herself in a false position:
every one suspected her as much as I did. Besides, she lost her
temper, and talked about forgiving _me_, when I was in
despair about my ring!"
"And what, pray, was your foolish ring compared to the girl's
character?"
"A foolish ring, indeed!--Yes, it was foolish to let you ever
have the right to give it me! But, as to her character, that of
persons in her position is in constant peril. They have to lay
their account with that, and must get used to it. How was I to
know? We can not read each other's hearts."
"Not where there is no heart in the reader."
Hesper's face flushed, but she did her best not to lose her
temper. Not that it would have been any great loss if she had,
for there is as much difference in the values of tempers as in
those who lose them. She said nothing, and her husband resumed:
"So you came to forgive me?" he said.
"And Marston," she answered.
"Well, I will accept the condescension--that is, if the terms of
it are to my mind."
"I will make no terms.
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