hinkofanyother.MissGloverraisedherface,tear-stainedandreditwaspositivelyhideous,butnotwithstanding,verypathetic.
“ThenIcouldn’tbearitanylonger,”shesaid.“IthoughtifIbeggedyourpardonImightbeabletoforgivemyself.Oh,Bertha,pleaseforgetwhatIsaid,andforgiveme.AndIfanciedthatEdwardwouldbehereto-day,andthethoughtofexposingmyselfbeforehimtoowasalmostmorethanIcouldbear.ButIknewthehumiliationwouldbegoodforme.Oh,IwassothankfulwhenJanesaidhewasout....WhatcanIdotoearnyourforgiveness?”
Inherheartofhearts,MissGloverdesiredsomehorriblepenancewhichwouldthoroughlymortifyherflesh.
“Ihavealreadyforgottenallaboutit,”saidBertha,smilingwearily.“Ifmyforgivenessisworthanything,Iforgiveyouentirely.”
MissGloverwasalittlepainedatBertha’smanifestindifference,yettookitasajustpunishment.
“AndBertha,letmesaythatIloveyouandadmireyoumorethananyoneafterCharles.Ifyoureallythinkwhatyousaidtheotherday,IstillloveyouandhopeGodwillturnyourheart.CharlesandIwillprayforyounightandday,andsoonIhopetheAlmightywillsendyouanotherchildtotaketheplaceoftheoneyoulost.Believeme,Godisverygoodandmerciful,andHewillgrantyouwhatyouwish.”
Berthagavealowcryofpain.“Icanneverhaveanotherchild....Dr.Ramsaytoldmeitwasimpossible.”
“Oh,Bertha,Ididn’tknow.”
MissGlovertookBerthaprotectinglyinherarms,crying,andkissedherlikealittlechild.
ButBerthadriedhereyes.
“Leavemenow,Fanny,please.I’dratherbealone.Butcomeandseemesoon,andforgivemeifI’mhorrid.I’mveryunhappyandIshallneverbehappyagain.”
Afewminuteslater,Edwardreturned—cheery,jovial,red-faced,andinthebestofhumours.
“Hereweareagain!”heshouted,likeaclowninaharlequinade.“YouseeI’venotbeengonelongandyouhaven’tmissedmearap.Now,we’llhavetea.”
Hekissedherandputhercushionsright.
“ByJove,itdoesmegoodtoseeyoudownagain.Youmustpourouttheteaforme....Now,confessweren’tyouunreasonabletomakesuchafussaboutmygoingaway?AndIcouldn’thelpit,couldI?”