You ought now to understand it all." "I then am being punished for her sins," he said; and suddenly the scar on his face was healed up again, and there was something of the old pleasantness in his eyes.
"I have said nothing about any sins, George, but I have found it necessary to be on my guard." "Well," he said, after a short pause, "You are an honest woman, Alice,--the honestest I ever knew.

I will bring Kate to order,--and, now, we may be friends again; may we not ?" And he extended his hand to her across the table.
"Yes," she said, "certainly, if you wish it." She spoke doubtingly, with indecision in her voice, as though remembering at the moment that he had given her no pledge.

"I certainly do wish it very much," said he; and then she gave him her hand.
"And I may now talk about your new freedom ?" "No," said she; "no.

Do not speak of that.

A woman does not do what I have done in that affair without great suffering.