I am
going to--console myself as soon as I can."
I did not dare ask him how. He held his arm to me ceremoniously, and I
could not help thinking that he could play the fine gentleman after all.
My thoughts were so bewildered that I could not take in yet all that
this involved, but seeing that he held his arm to me I took it and went
out with him.
The night had come on dark outside. Looking back from the gate, I
thought that the little house glowed like a ruby in the darkness.
He put me into the carriage with a careful politeness. As he wrapped the
rug about me I had a sudden sense of the finality of it and the trouble
that lay before me and the others, and a pity for his disappointment as
well that was so poignant as to be almost unbearable.
"Forgive me," I whispered in the darkness. "I would have loved you if I
could."
"Was there some one else, Bawn?" he whispered back.
"Yes, there was some one else." I felt he had a right to that truth.
"You ought to have told me," he said. "And you should not have believed
that I would win you by blackmail, even though I am Garret Dawson's
son."
"I am sorry. Indeed I am sorry."
I clutched at his sleeve as he was stepping out of the carriage.
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