But it would be easier to walk over red-hot ploughshares." Anne flinched with the pain of his voice.

And there was so little she could say that would be adequate to the situation.

Blame was out of the question--advice was not needed--sympathy was mocked by the man's stark agony.

She could only feel with him in a maze of compassion and regret.

Her heart ached for Leslie! Had not that poor girl suffered enough without this?
"It wouldn't be so hard to go and leave her if she were only happy," resumed Owen passionately.