I have seen HIM"-- "Hush, Jacintha! Do not tell me what you have seen: oh! do not remind me of joys I pray God to help me forget.

He was my husband, then!--oh, cruel Jacintha, to remind me of what I have been, of what I am! Ah me! ah me! ah me!" "Your husband!" cried Jacintha in utter amazement.
Then Josephine drooped her head on this faithful creature's shoulder, and told her with many sobs the story I have told you.

She told it very briefly, for it was to a woman who, though little educated, was full of feeling and shrewdness, and needed but the bare facts: she could add the rest from her own heart and experience: could tell the storm of feelings through which these two unhappy lovers must have passed.

Her frequent sighs of pity and sympathy drew Josephine on to pour out all her griefs.
When the tale was ended she gave a sigh of relief.
"It might have been worse: I thought it was worse the more fool I.I deserve to have my head cut off." This was Jacintha's only comment at that time.
It was Josephine's turn to be amazed.

"It could have been worse ?" said she.