But if there can be no hope of our getting completely reconciled, treat me gently--wretch though I am." "I did not say you were a wretch, nor have I ever said so." "But you have such a contemptuous way of looking at me that I fear you think so." Grace's heart struggled between the wish not to be harsh and the fear that she might mislead him.

"I cannot look contemptuous unless I feel contempt," she said, evasively.

"And all I feel is lovelessness." "I have been very bad, I know," he returned.

"But unless you can really love me again, Grace, I would rather go away from you forever.
I don't want you to receive me again for duty's sake, or anything of that sort.

If I had not cared more for your affection and forgiveness than my own personal comfort, I should never have come back here.