I crept back. By the mercy
of God I had left a door ajar. I crept back to my room, and none knows
that I ever left it except he and I and you. Bawn, am I not mad to tell
you such a story? You, an innocent girl! I must be mad to tell my shame
to any one when it might die with him and be buried with me."
"The mercy of God met you at every step and saved you," I said, feeling
how little equal I was to the task of comforting her.
"Of course you despise me," she said: and the hard misery was gone out
of her eyes and voice; "but I have confessed. You will never look at me
again, but you have taken the weight off my life that was crushing it."
I could only answer her in one way. I crossed the distance she had set
between us, and took her in my arms and kissed her.
"I shall be your loving friend for ever," I said, while she pushed me
away and cried out that I must not touch her, lest she should have the
infection about her.
"Although I never touched him, Bawn, I never touched him," she kept on
assuring me. "_He_ would not permit it. Bawn, if he is to die, don't you
think God will forgive him his sins because of that great act of
charity? The poor creature was horrible, horrible.
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