How can I put into words the insult I have received?
How can I reveal to him the slack levity, the careless looseness, with which I have kept the honor confided to me?
As my eyes stray helplessly round in a vain search for advice or help from the infinite unfeeling apathy of Nature, I catch sight of the distant chimneys of the abbey! How near it is! After all, why should I sow dissension between such close neighbors?
why make an irreparable breach between two families, hitherto united by the kindly ties of mutual friendship and good-will?
Frank is young, very young; he has been--so Roger himself told me--very ill brought up.

Perhaps he has already repented, who knows?
I try to persuade myself that these are the reasons--and sufficient reasons--of my silence, and I take my resolution afresh.

I will be dumb.

The flush slowly dies out of my face, and, when I think it is almost gone, I venture to look again at Roger.

I think that his eyes have never left me.