In her inmost mind a thought rose unbidden--a thought which was not to be repressed.

"Can I ever have loved this man ?" She advanced a step toward him; it was not possible, even yet, to completely forgot the past.

She held out her hand.
He rose on his side--without looking at her.
"Before we part forever," she said to him, "will you take my hand as a token that you forgive me ?" He hesitated.

He half lifted his hand.

The next moment the generous impulse died away in him.