"Indeed, if I hadn't done so long since, it would be easy to forgive him now.

At first, I did feel dreadfully humiliated, but I soon saw what he had saved me from.
And, of course, if he had kept his promise, I could not have married you." Festing looked at her with surprise.

In spite of her refinement, Helen would now and then talk calmly about matters he shrank from mentioning.
But after the lead she had given him he could be frank.
"Well," he said, "I haven't forgiven him yet; I couldn't pretend friendship with anybody who had slighted you.

Besides, when I found out how he had cheated me it was the worst moment of my life.

I thought you would never speak to me again because, through the fellow's treachery, it was I who hurt you." "You're very nice, Stephen," Helen replied, coloring.